# NTSB IAD74FIA04: Piper PA-22, N8120D, Harrisonburg, VA, September 2, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 2, 1973
- Place: Harrisonburg, VA · HARRISONBURG, VA
- Location: 38.4363° N, 78.8733° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harrisonburg, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4363&lon=-78.8733&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD74FIA04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FIA04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2658   73/9/2    HARRISONBURG,VA     PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 355
        TIME - 1715                    N8120D              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 60 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EARLY AIRSTRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HARRISONBURG,VA             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- FUEL SEL R TANK,FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY.R GAUGE PLACARD-LVL FLT ONLY WITH LESS THAN 1/3 TANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8120D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8120D-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 22-5611, built 1957 (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
- Airport: Early Airstrip

## 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 19730902026629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730902026629A), Sep 2, 1973: Piper PA22160, Harrisonburg, VA, Substantial damage. Fuel sel r tank,fuel gauge indicated empty.r gauge placard-lvl flt only with less than 1/3 tank.

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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