# NTSB FTW78DRG16: Piper PA-22, N9534D, Laredo, TX, November 23, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 23, 1977
- Place: Laredo, TX · LAREDO, TX
- Location: 27.5064° N, 99.5075° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laredo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5064&lon=-99.5075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78DRG16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRG16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3870  77/11/23 NR.LAREDO,TX          PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 53, 637
        TIME - 1110                    N9534D              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 352 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CORPUS CHRISTI,TX          LAREDO,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: ROLL
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- STRUCK PILE OF GRAVEL ON RANCH RD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9534D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9534D), registered now, S/N 22-6450 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (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 19771123040659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771123040659A), Nov 23, 1977: Piper PA22160, Laredo, TX, Substantial damage. Struck pile of gravel on ranch rd.

## Other investigations on N9534D (2)

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 WPR26LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA290), Aug 3, 2026: Piper PA22 (N9534D), Goldendale, WA, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB CHI92LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA177), Jun 13, 1992: Piper PA-22 (N9534D), Breezy Point, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY DUE TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF AN INTERNAL SPRING.

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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