# NTSB NYC78FA052: Piper PA-32, N3893W, Lawrence, MA, May 11, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 11, 1978
- Place: Lawrence, MA · LAWRENCE, MA
- Location: 42.7003° N, 71.1614° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lawrence, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7003&lon=-71.1614&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FA052
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA052

## NTSB brief (aircraft 2)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2360  78/5/11    LAWRENCE,MA         PIPER PA-32R        CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 22, 1400
        TIME - 1607                    N8769C              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  2  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LAWRENCE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BEDFORD,MA                  LAWRENCE,MA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH AIRCRAFT: BOTH IN FLIGHT                  IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OTHER AIRCRAFT
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: PILOT OF OTHER AIRCRAFT
         SPECIAL DATA
          SEGMENTS OF AVIATION INVOLVED - SMALL US GEN.AV.-SMALL US GEN.AV.
          CONTROLLING AGENCY - NO CONTROL                          RADAR CTL/SURVEILLANCE - NOT UNDER RADAR CONTACT
          TRAFFIC ADVISORY ISSUED - NONE                           CONTROLLED/UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT - UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT
          EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN - YES
```

## NTSB brief (aircraft 1)

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2360  78/5/11    LAWRENCE,MA         PIPER PA-32         CR-  2  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 54, 64 TOTAL
        TIME - 1607                    N3893W              PX-  0  0  0  CHECK                     HOURS, 29 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  1  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LAWRENCE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LAWRENCE,MA                 PITTSFIELD,MA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH AIRCRAFT: BOTH IN FLIGHT                  IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OTHER AIRCRAFT
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: PILOT OF OTHER AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
         SPECIAL DATA
          SEGMENTS OF AVIATION INVOLVED - SMALL US GEN.AV.-SMALL US GEN.AV.
          CONTROLLING AGENCY - NO CONTROL                          RADAR CTL/SURVEILLANCE - NOT UNDER RADAR CONTACT
          TRAFFIC ADVISORY ISSUED - NONE                           CONTROLLED/UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT - UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT
          EVASIVE ACTION TAKEN - YES
```

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N3893W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3893W-2024-09-28), registration cancelled 2024-09-28, S/N 32-839, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lawrence

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N8769C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8769C-2009-09-15), registration cancelled 2009-09-15, S/N 32R-7680136, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lawrence

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19780511029102A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780511029102A), May 11, 1978: Piper PA32260, Lawrence, MA, Destroyed
- [Accident 19780511029101A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780511029101A), May 11, 1978: Piper PA32RT300, Lawrence, MA, Destroyed

## Other investigations on N3893W (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 NYC76FNA46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FNA46), Jul 26, 1976: Piper PA-32 (N3893W), Tewksbury, MA, 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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