# NTSB LAX78FUM17: Piper PA-28, N38515, San Diego, CA, April 6, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 6, 1978
- Place: San Diego, CA · SAN DIEGO, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FUM17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUM17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0998   78/4/6    SAN DIEGO,CA        PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 22, 146
        TIME - 1356                    N38515              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN DIEGO,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIRAL                                            IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38515](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38515-1981-12-24), registration cancelled 1981-12-24, S/N 287716263, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (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 19780406008319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780406008319A), Apr 6, 1978: Piper PA28161, San Diego, CA, 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.

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