# NTSB IAD79FA005: Piper PA-28, N38463, Harpers Ferry, WV, October 27, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 27, 1978
- Place: Harpers Ferry, WV · HARPERS FERRY, WV
- Location: 39.3252° N, 77.7414° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harpers Ferry, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3252&lon=-77.7414&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FA005
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA005

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3254  78/10/27 NR.HARPERS FERRY,WV   PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 28, 85 TOTAL
        TIME - 1604                    N38463              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 13 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LURAY,VA                    FREDERICK,MD
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        REMARKS- ACFT HIT PWR LINE ACROSS RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38463](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38463-1981-12-23), registration cancelled 1981-12-23, S/N 287790554, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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 19781027034789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781027034789A), Oct 27, 1978: Piper PA28R200, Harpers Ferry, WV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Acft hit pwr line across river.

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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