# NTSB NYC74AN049: Piper PA-28, N4978L, Lake Scranton, PA, November 26, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 26, 1973
- Place: Lake Scranton, PA · LAKE SCRANTON, PA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC74AN049
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN049

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3642  73/11/26   LAKE SCRANTON,PA    PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 418
        TIME - 2236                    N4978L              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 68 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          PHILADELPHIA,PA             RETURN                       ALLENTOWN,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  1100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       44
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           70                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- FAILED TO COMPLY W DEP CLNC.LOST COMM,ATMTD DESCENT TO VFR CONDITIONS.HIT WIRES.WX ABE AT 2300EST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4978L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4978L-1974-01-21), registration cancelled 1974-01-21, S/N 28-4353 (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

## Other investigations on N4978L (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 NYC69D0444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69D0444), May 1, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N4978L), West Chester, PA, 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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