# NTSB LAX74DUG55: Piper PA-28, N4846S, Needles, CA, April 29, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 29, 1974
- Place: Needles, CA · NEEDLES, CA
- Location: 34.8136° N, 114.6266° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Needles, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8136&lon=-114.6266&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 186121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX74DUG55
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74DUG55

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1050  74/4/29  NR.NEEDLES,CALIF      PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 160
        TIME - 2130                    N4846S              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SAN JOSE,CALIF              LK HAVASU CITY,ARIZ          MERCED,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- EMERG LDG OPEN DESERT COVD WITH YUCCA TREES DURING NIGHT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4846S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4846S-1974-05-31), registration cancelled 1974-05-31, S/N 28-7125382, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (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 19740429011359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740429011359A), Apr 29, 1974: Piper PA28140, Needles, CA, Substantial damage. Emerg ldg open desert covd with yucca trees during night.

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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