# NTSB FTW77FA047: Piper PA-23, N3361P, Mcalester, OK, March 26, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 26, 1977
- Place: Mcalester, OK · MCALESTER, OK
- Location: 34.9261° N, 95.7736° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McAlester, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9261&lon=-95.7736&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77FA047
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FA047

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1334  77/3/26  NR.MCALESTER,OK       PIPER PA-23         CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0054                    N3361P              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 23, 1095 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            22 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MCALESTER,OK                OKLAHOMA CITY,OK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: DOORS,DOOR FRAMES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           COPILOT - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PILOT FATIGUE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- CABIN DOOR CAME OPEN. RUDDER & TAB FOUND SEPARATED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3361P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3361P-1977-09-06), registration cancelled 1977-09-06, S/N 23-1317 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (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 19770326018049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770326018049A), Mar 26, 1977: Piper PA23160, Mcalester, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Cabin door came open. Rudder & tab found separated.

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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