# NTSB IAD74FLJ12: Piper PA-28, N5177L, Riegelwood, NC, August 26, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 26, 1973
- Place: Riegelwood, NC · RIEGELWOOD, NC
- Location: 34.3401° N, 78.2204° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Riegelwood, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3401&lon=-78.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD74FLJ12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FLJ12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3387  73/8/26    RIEGELWOOD,NC       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 591
        TIME - 1910                    N5177L              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 180 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MILLEDGEVILLE,GA            JACKSONVILL,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PLT COULDNT SEE DUE TO AUTO LITES STRUCK RR SIGN.EX VALVE NR 2 CYL STEM FAILED BLO HEAD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5177L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5177L-2017-11-20), registration cancelled 2017-11-20, S/N 28-4463, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, 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 19730826028149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730826028149A), Aug 26, 1973: Piper PA28R200, Riegelwood, NC. Plt couldnt see due to auto lites struck rr sign. Ex valve nr 2 cyl stem failed blo head.

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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