# NTSB DEN73AD009: Piper PA-28, N3777R, Buffalo Crk, CO, August 23, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 23, 1972
- Place: Buffalo Crk, CO · BUFFALO CRK, CO
- Location: 39.3867° N, 105.2703° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Buffalo Creek, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3867&lon=-105.2703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 21, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 111826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73AD009
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73AD009

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0692  72/8/23    BUFFALO CRK,COLO    PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 21, 100
        TIME - 1015                    N3777R              PX-  1  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DELTA,COLO                  DENVER,COLO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        REMARKS- OBS SAW ACFT HIT TREE ABOUT 10 FT AGL IN MTN VALLEY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3777R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3777R-1973-06-22), registration cancelled 1973-06-22, S/N 28-5820 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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

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