# NTSB NYC78FGM52: Piper J-3, N6720H, Somerset, PA, September 22, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 22, 1978
- Place: Somerset, PA · SOMERSET, PA
- Location: 40.0050° N, 79.0779° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somerset, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0050&lon=-79.0779&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FGM52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FGM52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2978  78/9/22    SOMERSET,PA         PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1415                    N6720H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  45, 8008 TOTAL HOURS, 100
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHERRY RIDGE,PA             SAN JOSE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - SELF-HELP,PILOT CHECKED WEATHER DATA
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          CONTROLLED VFR
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6720H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780922029899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780922029899A), Sep 22, 1978: Piper L4B, Somerset, 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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