# NTSB FTW73FPG39: Piper PA-28R, N4974T, Black Fork, AR, March 1, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: March 1, 1973
- Place: Black Fork, AR · BLACK FORK, AR
- Location: 34.7670° N, 94.4311° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Black Fork, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7670&lon=-94.4311&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 112143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73FPG39
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FPG39

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0484   73/3/1    BLACK FORK,ARK      PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  0  2  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 39, 8435
        TIME - 0915                    N4974T              PX-  0  1  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 200 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          WATERLOO,IOWA               MENA,ARK                     SPRINGFIELD,MO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           TURBULENCE                                               IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 3000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          THUNDERSTORM
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          HAZE                                                     225
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           45                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- PIC CANCLED IFR FLIGHT PLAN PROCEDED VFR.ATMTD LOW ALT FLT OVR MTNS TRRN,ENCTRD DWNDFT UN CK DSCNT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4974T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4974T-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 28R-7235165, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19730301004949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730301004949A), Mar 1, 1973: Piper PA28R200, Black Fork, AR, Substantial damage. PIC cancled IFR flight plan proceded VFR.atmtd low alt flt ovr mtns trrn,enctrd dwndft un ck dscnt

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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