# NTSB NYC78FHD12: Piper PA-28, N6455, Downingtown, PA, March 29, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: March 29, 1978
- Place: Downingtown, PA · DOWNINGTOWN, PA
- Location: 40.0085° N, 75.7018° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Downingtown, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0085&lon=-75.7018&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FHD12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FHD12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3500  78/3/29    DOWNINGTOWN,PA      PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 55, 590
        TIME - 1952                    N6455               PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DOWNINGTOWN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          STATE COLLEGE,PA            DOWNINGTOWN,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO USE OR INCORRECTLY USED MISC.EQUIPMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- PIC FAILED TO USE LANDING LIGHTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6455 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Downingtown

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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