# NTSB LAX66A0062: Piper PA-18, N6978B, Empire, NV, February 7, 1966

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 7, 1966
- Place: Empire, NV · EMPIRE, NV
- Location: 40.5759° N, 119.3431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Empire, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5759&lon=-119.3431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 6, 1966
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 174099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX66A0062
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66A0062

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-0093   66/2/7    EMPIRE NEV          PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1000                    N6978B              PX-  0  1  0  HUNTING                   AGE 46, 3017 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            130 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- TYPE OF FLYING.COYOTE HUNTING.WING TIP STRUCK GROUND IN A STEEP LOW-LEVEL TURN
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6978B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6978B), registered now, S/N 18-5100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N6978B (3)

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 ANC03LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA117), Sep 17, 2003: Piper PA-18 (N6978B), Ninilchick, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in a collision with terrain during an approach to landing on a ridgeline. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's…
- [NTSB ANC87LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA109), Jul 26, 1987: Piper PA-18-150 (N6978B), Levelock, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK66D0139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66D0139), Oct 30, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N6978B), Eagleville, CA, 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.

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