# NTSB OAK71FVM51: Piper PA-31, N748HB, Palo Alto, CA, April 24, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 24, 1971
- Place: Palo Alto, CA · PALO ALTO, CA
- Location: 37.3965° N, 122.1431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palo Alto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3965&lon=-122.1431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 160180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK71FVM51
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71FVM51

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0413  71/4/24    PALO ALTO,CALIF     PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  2  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 48, 3000
        TIME - 1140                    N748HB              PX-  0  0  1  DEMONSTRATION             TOTAL HOURS, 50 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PALO ALTO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PALO ALTO,CALIF             NAPA,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED ACTION IN ABORTING TAKEOFF
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - GUST LOCKS ENGAGED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CHECKLIST-FAILED TO USE
        REMARKS- SALES DEMO FLT. CTL LOCK REMOVED ON PRE-FLT BUT REPLACED DUE GUSTY COND ABOUT 30 MIN BEFORE FLT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N748HB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Palo Alto

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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