# NTSB FTW69D0200: Piper PA-28, N4972J, Odessa, TX, August 31, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 31, 1968
- Place: Odessa, TX · ODESSA, TX
- Location: 31.8457° N, 102.3676° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Odessa, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8457&lon=-102.3676&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 30, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 109069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW69D0200
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0200

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3020  68/8/31    ODESSA,TEX          PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 39, 53 TOTAL
        TIME - 1700                    N4972J              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, 3 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ECTOR COUNTY
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ASSURE THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CHECKLIST-FAILED TO USE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4972J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4972J-2018-04-24), registration cancelled 2018-04-24, S/N 28R-30723, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Ector County

## Other investigations on N4972J (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 WPR16FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA014), Oct 17, 2015: Piper PA 28R-180 (N4972J), Morongo Valley, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument rated pilot's improper inflight decision-making to attempt to outclimb clouds along his planned route rather than reverse course, which resulted in his inadvertent entry into…

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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