# NTSB MKC71FDM37: Piper PA-20, N7742K, Big Fork, MN, December 9, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 9, 1970
- Place: Big Fork, MN · BIG FORK, MN
- Location: 47.7476° N, 93.6540° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bigfork, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7476&lon=-93.6540&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 23, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 159704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC71FDM37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FDM37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4367   70/12/9   BIG FORK,MINN       PIPER PA-20         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 18, 23 TOTAL
        TIME - 1700                    N7742K              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BIG FORK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          THIEF RIVER FAL MINN        INTL FALLS MINN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
                                  APPROACHING DARKNESS
        REMARKS- 3-4 IN CRUSTED SNOW ON RWY OF UNATTENDED ARPT. FLT NOT APPROVED BY IP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7742K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7742K), registered now, S/N 20-565, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Big Fork

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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