# NTSB DEN77FTC23: Piper PA16, N5639H, Douglas, WY, August 4, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 4, 1977
- Place: Douglas, WY · DOUGLAS, WY
- Location: 42.7548° N, 105.3978° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Douglas, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7548&lon=-105.3978&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 22, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 146162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN77FTC23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77FTC23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1990   77/8/4    DOUGLAS,WY          PIPER PA16          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 55, 385
        TIME - 2029                    N5639H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 45 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CONVERSE COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          OSHKOSH,WI                  DOUGLAS,WY                   WINNER,SD
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - OTHER
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  400
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      RAIN, THUNDERSTORM
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- RAVINE WEATHER WAS NOT CHECKED VISIBILITY POOR
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5639H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5639H), registered now, S/N 16-250, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Converse County

## 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 19770804024539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770804024539A), Aug 4, 1977: Piper PA16, Douglas, WY, Substantial damage. Ravine weather was not checked visibility poor

## Other investigations on N5639H (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 SEA01LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA027), Dec 6, 2000: Piper PA-16 (N5639H), Gleneden Beach, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive application of main wheel brakes. Factors include the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate remedial action during his attempt to regain control.

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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