# NTSB MKC74DER12: Piper PA-28, N7254F, Elk River, MN, September 8, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1973
- Place: Elk River, MN · ELK RIVER, MN
- Location: 45.3039° N, 93.5672° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elk River, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3039&lon=-93.5672&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC74DER12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DER12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3490   73/9/8    ELK RIVER,MINN      PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 36, 193
        TIME - 1215                    N7254F              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 21 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ARMSTRONG STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELK RIVER,MINN              DETROIT LAKES,MINN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO EXISTING WIND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,ALTITUDE OR CLEARANCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        REMARKS- TAKEOFF MADE DOWNWIND BECAUSE OF DOWNGRADE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7254F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7254F), registered now, S/N 28-25172 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Armstrong Strip

## 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 19730908036729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730908036729A), Sep 8, 1973: Piper PA28140, Elk River, MN, Substantial damage. Takeoff made downwind because of downgrade.

## Other investigations on N7254F (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 CHI72FLQ20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FLQ20), Nov 14, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N7254F), Elizabethtown, KY, 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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