# NTSB IAD76AI038: Piper PA-32R, N200HM, Topping, VA, December 6, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 6, 1975
- Place: Topping, VA · TOPPING, VA
- Location: 37.5882° N, 76.4744° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Topping, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5882&lon=-76.4744&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 5 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD76AI038
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76AI038

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4008   75/12/6   TOPPING,VA          PIPER PA-32R        CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 60, 621
        TIME - 1524                    N200HM              PX-  1  4  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 529 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HUMMEL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TOPPING,VA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: DOORS,DOOR FRAMES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  DOOR/PANEL OPEN
        REMARKS- ACFT IN SHARP L TURN.FWD BAGGAGE COMP DOOR OPENED IN FLT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N200HM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N200HM), registered now, S/N 32R-7680025, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Hummel

## 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 19751206040099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19751206040099A), Dec 6, 1975: Piper PA32R300, Topping, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Acft in sharp l turn. Fwd baggage comp door opened in flt.

## Other investigations on N200HM (1)

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 IAD78FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA021), Dec 11, 1977: Piper PA-32R (N200HM), Buckhannon, WV, 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.

---
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.