# NTSB MKC74AK017: Piper PA-24, N6371P, La Crescent, MN, August 21, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 21, 1974
- Place: La Crescent, MN · LA CRESCENT, MN
- Location: 43.8297° N, 91.3050° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Crescent, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8297&lon=-91.3050&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC74AK017
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK017-138901

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3101  74/8/21    LA CRESCENT,MINN    PIPER PA-24         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2230                    N6371P              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 67, 21000 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LA CROSSE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          GALESBURG,ILL               LA CROSSE,WIS                DUBUQUE,IOWA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       69
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       6
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      SPECIAL VFR
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 10/5/74.TRRN IN ACDT AREA APRX 500FT HIGHER THAN DEST ARPT ELEV.APRX 4MI SW OF ARPT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6371P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6371P-1974-12-11), registration cancelled 1974-12-11, S/N 24-1481 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: La Crosse

## 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 19740821035799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740821035799A), Aug 21, 1974: Piper PA24250, La Crescent, MN, Destroyed. Recovery date 10/5/74.trrn in acdt area aprx 500FT higher than dest arpt elev. Aprx 4MI sw of arpt.

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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