# NTSB NYC74DGM06: Piper PA-28, N5233T, Smicksburg, PA, September 22, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 22, 1973
- Place: Smicksburg, PA · SMICKSBURG, PA
- Location: 40.8701° N, 79.1713° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Smicksburg, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8701&lon=-79.1713&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC74DGM06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74DGM06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2848  73/9/22    SMICKSBURG,PA       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 334
        TIME - 1110                    N5233T              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 180 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TRAVIS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SMICKSBURG,PA               INDIANA,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISUSED OR FAILED TO USE FLAPS
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIGH VEGETATION
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT CROSS WIND 248-292 DEGREES
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          190                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- GUSTS TO 18KTS.ACFT DRIFTED SLIGHTLY L,PLT POPPED FLAPS ATMTNG TO CORRECT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5233T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5233T), registered now, S/N 28-7205249, built 1972 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Travis

## 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 19730922031139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730922031139A), Sep 22, 1973: Piper PA28180, Smicksburg, PA, Substantial damage. Gusts to 18KTS.acft drifted slightly l,plt popped flaps atmtng to correct.

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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