# NTSB LAX78FA071: Piper PA-32, N3708M, Laverne, CA, August 29, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 29, 1978
- Place: Laverne, CA · LAVERNE, CA
- Location: 34.1205° N, 117.7699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Verne, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1205&lon=-117.7699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA071
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA071

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3756  78/8/29    LAVERNE,CA          PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 25, 140
        TIME - 0520                    N3708M              PX-  3  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BRACKETT FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LAVERNE,CA                  PHOENIX,AZ                   LAS VEGAS,NV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       63
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          350                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3708M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3708M-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 32R-7885012, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Brackett Field

## 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 19780829041009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780829041009A), Aug 29, 1978: Piper PA32RT300, Laverne, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal

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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