# NTSB DEN73FQA15: Piper PA-17, N4657H, Gallup, NM, August 22, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 22, 1972
- Place: Gallup, NM · GALLUP, NM
- Location: 35.5138° N, 108.7437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gallup, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5138&lon=-108.7437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 167597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73FQA15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73FQA15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1433  72/8/22    GALLUP,N MEX        PIPER PA-17         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 20, 235
        TIME - 1600                    N4657H              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 50 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLARKE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GALLUP,N MEX                SHOW LOW,ARIZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: MAGNETOS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 8000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     CALM
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           78                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- MAGS CONTAMINATED WITH GREASE,P LEAD STUDS LOOSE. PLT TRIED TO RET TO FLD. DENSITY ALT 8900 FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4657H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4657H-2012-07-31), registration cancelled 2012-07-31, S/N 17-65, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-17
- Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Clarke

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.

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