# NTSB LAX74FUG02: Piper PA-28, N5746U, Mecca, CA, July 9, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 9, 1973
- Place: Mecca, CA · MECCA, CA
- Location: 33.5765° N, 116.0647° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mecca, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5765&lon=-116.0647&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX74FUG02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUG02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2396   73/7/9    MECCA,CALIF         PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 116
        TIME - 1845                    N5746U              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 4 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VAN NUYS,CALIF              SALTON SEA,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- TKOF FM AUTO PARKNG LOT. HIT A TIRE BUMPER RAIL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5746U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5746U), registered now, S/N 28-26567, built 1969 (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)
- 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

## 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 19730709021769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730709021769A), Jul 9, 1973: Piper PA28140, Mecca, CA, Substantial damage. Tkof fm auto parkng lot. Hit a tire bumper rail.

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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