# NTSB MKC74AK038: Piper PA-28, N8900J, Willmar, MN, January 17, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 17, 1974
- Place: Willmar, MN · WILLMAR, MN
- Location: 45.1210° N, 95.0587° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Willmar, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1210&lon=-95.0587&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 4, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 186880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC74AK038
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK038

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0392  74/1/17    WILLMAR,MINN        PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 99 TOTAL
        TIME - 1037                    N8900J              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 40 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          REDWOOD FALLS,MINN          LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- CIRCLING.4HRS PLT TIME SINCE 4/73.WX FM WITNESS REPORTS.ELT NOT PROPERLY MOUNTED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8900J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8900J-1974-02-22), registration cancelled 1974-02-22, S/N 28-2876 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19740117003539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740117003539A), Jan 17, 1974: Piper PA28180, Willmar, MN, Destroyed. Circling.4HRS plt time since 4/73.wx fm witness reports.ELT not properly mounted.

## Other investigations on N8900J (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI71DDW01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DDW01), Jul 5, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N8900J), Dundee, MI, 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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