# NTSB DIA68D0197: Piper PA-32, N3815W, Rural Retreat, VA, January 30, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 30, 1968
- Place: Rural Retreat, VA · RURAL RETREAT, VA
- Location: 36.9051° N, 81.2772° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rural Retreat, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9051&lon=-81.2772&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 111440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DIA68D0197
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68D0197

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0741  68/1/30    RURAL RETREAT,VA    PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 968
        TIME - 1900                    N3815W              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 421 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MT.EMPIRE
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: ROLL
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SNOW ON RUNWAY
           PERSONNEL - AIRPORT SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: IMPROPER/INADEQUATE SNOW REMOVAL
        REMARKS- PLT KNEW OF SNOW RIDGE LEFT BY PLOW.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3815W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3815W), registered now, S/N 32-746, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Mt.Empire

## Other investigations on N3815W (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 CEN11CA501](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA501), Jul 22, 2011: Piper PA-32-260 (N3815W), Bolivar, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The collision with a deer during landing at an airport with known wildlife activity.

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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