# NTSB FTW74DRG27: Piper PA-28R, N4857J, Weslaco, TX, October 21, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 21, 1973
- Place: Weslaco, TX · WESLACO, TX
- Location: 26.1605° N, 97.9877° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Weslaco, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1605&lon=-97.9877&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74DRG27
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DRG27

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3115  73/10/21   WESLACO,TEX         PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 480
        TIME - 1030                    N4857J              PX-  0  0  5  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 70 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MID-VALLEY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MCALLEN TEX                 WESLACO,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        REMARKS- STRUCK A 12IN DIRT MOUND AT THRESHOLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4857J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4857J), registered now, S/N 28R-30613, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- 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: Mid-Valley

## 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 19731021034129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731021034129A), Oct 21, 1973: Piper PA28R180, Weslaco, TX, Substantial damage. Struck a 12IN dirt mound at threshold.

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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