# NTSB MKC70A0037: Piper PA-30, N7201Y, Vermillion, SD, December 29, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 29, 1969
- Place: Vermillion, SD · VERMILLION, SD
- Location: 42.7821° N, 96.9261° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vermillion, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7821&lon=-96.9261&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 149729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC70A0037
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70A0037

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3834  69/12/29   VERMILLION,S DAK    PIPER PA-30         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 7000
        TIME - 2205                    N7201Y              PX-  1  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DAVIDSON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VERMILLION,S DAK            FT.COLLINS,COLO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          GROUND FOG                                               BELOW MINIMUMS
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- TOOK OFF INTO FOG AT NITE. RECOVERY DATE 12/31/69.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7201Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7201Y-1971-07-15), registration cancelled 1971-07-15, S/N 30-225 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Davidson

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.