# NTSB OAK72AP023: Piper PA-28, N4181J, Mt.Herman, CA, January 9, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 9, 1972
- Place: Mt.Herman, CA · MT.HERMAN, CA
- Location: 37.0510° N, 122.0533° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Hermon, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0510&lon=-122.0533&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK72AP023
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP023

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1974   72/1/9    MT.HERMAN,CALIF     PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 31, 19 TOTAL
        TIME - 1315                    N4181J              PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SANTA CRUZ SKY PK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MT.HERMAN,CALIF             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPONTANEOUS-IMPROPER ACTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO USE OR INCORRECTLY USED MISC.EQUIPMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INCORRECT TRIM SETTING
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR: INADEQUATE TRAINING OF STUDENT
        REMARKS- PLT APPLIED FULL NOSE DWN TRIM,HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO APPLY FULL NOSE UP TRIM NOT JUST RLV PRES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4181J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Santa Cruz Sky Pk

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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