# NTSB IAD78DKM04: Piper PA-15, N4659H, Cherokee, NC, January 5, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 5, 1978
- Place: Cherokee, NC · CHEROKEE, NC
- Location: 35.4859° N, 83.3011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cherokee, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4859&lon=-83.3011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD78DKM04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78DKM04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0960   78/1/5    CHEROKEE,NC         PIPER PA-15         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 54, 173
        TIME - 1350                    N4659H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 63 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MORGANTON,NC                JASPER,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
        REMARKS- UN OUTCLIMB SURROUNDING TERRAIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4659H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4659H), registered now, S/N 15-368, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-15
- Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (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 19780105003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780105003519A), Jan 5, 1978: Piper PA15, Cherokee, NC, Destroyed. Un outclimb surrounding terrain.

## Other investigations on N4659H (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 CEN09CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA077), Nov 30, 2008: Piper PA-15 (N4659H), Pleasanton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane while hand-starting the engine.

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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