# NTSB DEN73FQD19: Piper PA-25, N4746Y, Mesquite, NM, March 15, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: March 15, 1973
- Place: Mesquite, NM · MESQUITE, NM
- Location: 32.1670° N, 106.6885° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesquite, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1670&lon=-106.6885&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN73FQD19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73FQD19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0451  73/3/15    MESQUITE,N MEX      PIPER PA-25         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 18, 72 TOTAL
        TIME - 2140                    N4746Y              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 0 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MESQUITE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MESQUITE,N MEX              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - STOLEN OR UNAUTH=
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - NOT ALIGNED WITH RUNWAY/INTENDED LANDING AREA
        REMARKS- PLT REPTD DRINKING,UNAUTHORIZED FLT.MISTOOK TRAILER LTS FOR CAR LTS AT RWY END.HIT COTTON PICKER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4746Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4746Y-1974-05-06), registration cancelled 1974-05-06, S/N 254500 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Mesquite

## 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 19730315004199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730315004199A), Mar 15, 1973: Piper PA25260, Mesquite, NM, Substantial damage. Plt reptd drinking,unauthorized flt. Mistook trailer lts for car lts at rwy end. Hit cotton picker.

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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