# NTSB LAX75AL027: Piper PA-23, N6311Y, Van Nuys, CA, November 15, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 15, 1974
- Place: Van Nuys, CA · VAN NUYS, CA
- Location: 34.1867° N, 118.4490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Nuys, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1867&lon=-118.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX75AL027
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75AL027

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3784  74/11/15   VAN NUYS,CALIF      PIPER PA-23         CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 1100
        TIME - 0710                    N6311Y              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VAN NUYS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          VAN NUYS,CALIF              LA PAZ,BC,MEX                AGUA DULCE,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - FLIGHT AND NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS: ATTITUDE GYRO
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CONTROLS
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       52
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          140                                                       3
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           IFR (VFR CONDITIONS ON TOP)
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT TOLD DEP CTL GYRO WASN'T WORKING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6311Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6311Y-1975-02-14), registration cancelled 1975-02-14, S/N 27-3566 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Van Nuys

## 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 19741115041899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741115041899A), Nov 15, 1974: Piper PA23250, Van Nuys, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Plt told dep ctl gyro wasn't working.

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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