# NTSB NYC73AN100: Piper PA-18, N3902Z, Providence Frg, VA, January 11, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 11, 1973
- Place: Providence Frg, VA · PROVIDENCE FRG, VA
- Location: 37.4418° N, 77.0436° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Providence Forge, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4418&lon=-77.0436&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC73AN100
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73AN100

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0281  73/1/11    PROVIDENCE FRG,VA   PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 19, 1098
        TIME - 1500                    N3902Z              PX-  0  1  0  POWER/PIPELINE            TOTAL HOURS, 400 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RICHMOND,VA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        REMARKS- LOW FLT OVER RIVER. HIT PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3902Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3902Z-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 18-7714, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (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: 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 19730111000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730111000409A), Jan 11, 1973: Piper PA18S125, Providence Frg, VA, Substantial damage. Low flt over river. Hit pwr lines.

## Other investigations on N3902Z (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 ANC89LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA065), Apr 30, 1989: Piper PA-18 (N3902Z), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO-AROUND WHEN HE DID NOT ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, WHICH REQUIRED EXCESSIVE USE OF BRAKES TO STOP ON THE SHORT LANDING AREA.

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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