# NTSB IAD79FA004: Piper PA-32R, N9797C, White Gate, VA, October 12, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 12, 1978
- Place: White Gate, VA · WHITE GATE, VA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FA004
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA004

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4072  78/10/12   WHITE GATE,VA       PIPER PA-32R        CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2305                    N9797C              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-CARGO            AGE 25, 2468 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            200 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          OWOSSO,MI                   FAYETTEVILLE,NC              TOLEDO,OH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: MAGNETOS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOOSE,PART/FITTING
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTENTIONAL WHEELS-UP
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FND 10/13.PLT RPTD FUEL & OIL PR AFTER PWR LOSS.LNDD ON HILL,CONT INTO TREES.LOOSE HELICAL SPGS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9797C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- 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 19781012043699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781012043699A), Oct 12, 1978: Piper PA32RT300, White Gate, VA, Destroyed. Fnd 10/13.plt rptd fuel & oil PR after pwr loss. Lndd on hill,conto trees. Loose helical spgs.

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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