# NTSB FTW78DPM01: Piper PA-28, N8261N, Big Cedar, OK, November 30, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 30, 1977
- Place: Big Cedar, OK · BIG CEDAR, OK
- Location: 34.6459° N, 94.6488° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Cedar, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6459&lon=-94.6488&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 6, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 158654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78DPM01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DPM01

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3572  77/11/30 NR.BIG CEDAR,OK       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 47, 3910
        TIME - 1230                    N8261N              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 31 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BOISE CITY,OK               MENA,AR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        REMARKS- HIT TOPS OF TREES WHILE FLYING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT LOW ALTITUDE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8261N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8261N-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 28-25473, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19771130037249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771130037249A), Nov 30, 1977: Piper PA28140, Big Cedar, OK, Substantial damage. Hit tops of trees while flying in mountainous terrain at low altitude.

## Other investigations on N8261N (3)

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 SEA95LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA207), Sep 4, 1995: Piper PA-28-140 (N8261N), Mt Pleasant, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING CLIMBOUT. FACTORS INCLUDE WIND SHEAR AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
- [NTSB MKC71FCG59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FCG59), Apr 25, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N8261N), Trenton, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC71DCG38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCG38), Dec 20, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N8261N), Chillicothe, MO, substantial damage

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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