# NTSB LAX73FUQ28: Piper PA-18, N3803Z, Tehachapi, CA, April 1, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 1, 1973
- Place: Tehachapi, CA · TEHACHAPI, CA
- Location: 35.1430° N, 118.4460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tehachapi, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1430&lon=-118.4460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 8, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73FUQ28
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUQ28

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0597   73/4/1    TEHACHAPI,CALIF     PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 31, 437
        TIME - 1230                    N3803Z              PX-  0  0  0  TOWING GLIDERS            TOTAL HOURS, 52 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TEHACHAPI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TEHACHAPI,CALIF             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           OVERSHOOT                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: REGULATOR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- FRONT SEAT SHOULDER HARNESS BUCKLE INTERFERED WITH REAR CTL YOKE.HEAVY BRAKING USED TO AVOID FENCE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3803Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3803Z), registered now, S/N 18-7536, built 1960 (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: Substantial damage
- Airport: Tehachapi

## 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 19730401005779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730401005779A), Apr 1, 1973: Piper PA18150, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. Front seat shoulder harness buckle interfered with rear ctl yoke. Heavy braking used to avoid fence

## Other investigations on N3803Z (2)

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 SEA79FTA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTA10), Feb 28, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N3803Z), Terry, MT, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA74FTA28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FTA28), Jun 18, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N3803Z), Saco, MT, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.