# NTSB FTW74DPG07: Piper PA-31, N117HC, West Helena, AR, July 27, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 27, 1973
- Place: West Helena, AR · WEST HELENA, AR
- Location: 34.5507° N, 90.6418° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Helena, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5507&lon=-90.6418&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74DPG07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DPG07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1945  73/7/27    WEST HELENA,ARK     PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0640                    N117HC              PX-  0  0  1  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 36, 5000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            700 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HELENA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MEMPHIS,TENN                WEST HELENA,ARK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAXI: FROM LANDING
           COLLIDED WITH: AUTOMOBILE                                TAXI: FROM LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
          PILOT-EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED FOR CONDITIONS
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTENTIONAL GROUND-WATER-LOOP-SWERVE
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        REMARKS- TRUCK,EQPT BOTH SIDES MEN WALKD IN FRNT OF ACFT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117HC-1978-01-19), registration cancelled 1978-01-19, S/N 31P-54 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Helena

## 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 19730727023229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730727023229A), Jul 27, 1973: Piper PA31T1, West Helena, AR, Substantial damage. Truck,eqpt both sides men walkd in frnt of acft. Pilot-excessive taxi speed for conditions

## Other investigations on N117HC (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 SEA78FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA003), Oct 8, 1977: Piper PA-31P (N117HC), Vancouver, WA, destroyed, 3 fatal

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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