# NTSB OAK70AP056: Piper PA-28R, N3938T, S.Lk Tahoe, CA, May 11, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 11, 1970
- Place: S.Lk Tahoe, CA · S.LK TAHOE, CA
- Location: 38.9282° N, 119.9810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Lake Tahoe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9282&lon=-119.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK70AP056
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70AP056

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0322  70/5/11  NR.S.LK TAHOE,CALIF   PIPER PA-28R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 137
        TIME - 1740                    N3938T              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 1 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MODESTO,CALIF              S.LK TAHOE,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN AREAS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      6000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     SNOW SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      50
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      VFR
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE-5/23/70.DOWNSLOPE WIND CONDITIONS EXCEEDING ACFT CAPABILITIES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3938T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3938T-1973-06-22), registration cancelled 1973-06-22, S/N 28R-30280, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## Other investigations on N3938T (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 FTW68O0016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68O0016), Mar 22, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N3938T), Mulege, Mexico, 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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