# NTSB CHI76FEE66: Piper PA-32, N4177W, Rockford, IL, July 23, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: July 23, 1976
- Place: Rockford, IL · ROCKFORD, IL
- Location: 42.2711° N, 89.0940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rockford, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2711&lon=-89.0940&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 154406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI76FEE66
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEE66

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1762  76/7/23    ROCKFORD,IL         PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0250                    N4177W              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-CARGO            AGE 59, 11600 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 2015 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - COTTONWOOD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ROCKFORD,IL                 FAIRFIELD,IA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4177W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4177W-1977-07-07), registration cancelled 1977-07-07, S/N 32-40258, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Cottonwood

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19760723022259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760723022259A), Jul 23, 1976: Piper PA32300, Rockford, IL, Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N4177W (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC71FCJ63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FCJ63), May 14, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N4177W), Bloomfield, NE, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.