# NTSB NYC77FA019: Piper PA-34, N15698, Forked River, NJ, December 4, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 4, 1976
- Place: Forked River, NJ · FORKED RIVER, NJ
- Location: 39.8255° N, 74.1841° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Forked River, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8255&lon=-74.1841&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC77FA019
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FA019

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3776   76/12/4   FORKED RIVER,NJ     PIPER PA-34         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 40, 1300
        TIME - 2120                    N15698              PX-  4  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 16 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TOMS RIVER,NJ               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: ELECTRONIC TOWERS                         IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEAT BELT NOT FASTENED
        REMARKS- PILOT BLOOD/ALCOHOL BRAIN .171 PCT. ACFT STRUCK 110 FT RADIO ANTENNA,MAKING LOW PASSES AT NIGHT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15698](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15698-2009-05-08), registration cancelled 2009-05-08, S/N 34-7350087, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, 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 19761204042319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19761204042319A), Dec 4, 1976: Piper PA34200, Forked River, NJ, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Pilot blood/alcohol brain .171 pct. Acft struck 110 ft radio antenna,making low passes at night.

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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