# NTSB MKC75AK012: Piper PA-23, N5278Y, Fergus Falls, MN, August 10, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 10, 1974
- Place: Fergus Falls, MN · FERGUS FALLS, MN
- Location: 46.2861° N, 96.0758° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fergus Falls, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2861&lon=-96.0758&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 1, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC75AK012
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75AK012

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3896  74/8/10    FERGUS FALLS,MINN   PIPER PA-23         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 673
        TIME - 2240                    N5278Y              PX-  7  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 61 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FERGUS FALLS MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          PORT CLINTON,OHIO           ALEXANDRIA,MINN              MINNEAPOLIS,MINN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           STALL: SPIN                                              LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PILOT FATIGUE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FAILURE OF TWO OR MORE ENGINES
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        WEATHER BRIEFING - PARTIAL BRIEFING BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE/RADIO, LIMITED BY PILOT ACTION
        WEATHER FORECAST - WEATHER CONSIDERABLY WORSE THAN FORECAST
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      BELOW MINIMUMS
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- LOSS OF CNTRL AT AN ALT TOO LOW TO RECOVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5278Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5278Y-1975-01-10), registration cancelled 1975-01-10, S/N 272343 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Fergus Falls Muni

## 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 19740810038859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740810038859A), Aug 10, 1974: Piper PA23250, Fergus Falls, MN, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Loss of cntrl at an alt too low to recover.

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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