# NTSB IAD74AI005: Piper PA-23, N3117P, Deep Run, NC, July 17, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 17, 1973
- Place: Deep Run, NC · DEEP RUN, NC
- Location: 35.1414° N, 77.7162° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Deep Run, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1414&lon=-77.7162&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD74AI005
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74AI005

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1895  73/7/17    DEEP RUN,NC         PIPER PA-23         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 338
        TIME - 1248                    N3117P              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 43 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHARLESTON,SC               NORFOLK,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR
        REMARKS- PLT DECLARED EMERG AT FL 110,DUE OPEN DOOR. WAS VECTORED TO NEARBY ARPT. ACFT DISINTEGRATED IN FLT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3117P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3117P-1973-10-04), registration cancelled 1973-10-04, S/N 23-1039, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (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 19730717024469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730717024469A), Jul 17, 1973: Piper PA23, Deep Run, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Plt declared emerg at FL 110,due open door. Was vectored to nearby arpt. Acft disintegrated in flt

## Other investigations on N3117P (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC71FNA49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FNA49), May 11, 1971: Piper PA-23 (N3117P), Stow, MA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.