# NTSB IAD79FIG03: Piper PA-28, N4472X, Laurel, MD, December 22, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 22, 1978
- Place: Laurel, MD · LAUREL, MD
- Location: 39.0950° N, 76.8611° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laurel, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0950&lon=-76.8611&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 10, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FIG03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FIG03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3414  78/12/22   LAUREL,MD           PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 31, 19 TOTAL
        TIME - 1700                    N4472X              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SUBURBAN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LAUREL,MD                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- TREES OBSTRUCTIING APCH TO RWY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4472X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4472X-1989-05-02), registration cancelled 1989-05-02, S/N 287690017 (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: Substantial damage
- Airport: Suburban

## 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 19781222036989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781222036989A), Dec 22, 1978: Piper PA28180, Laurel, MD, Substantial damage. Trees obstructiing apch to rwy.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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