# NTSB OAK72DVG60: Piper PA-28, N5171S, Ruth, CA, May 14, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 14, 1972
- Place: Ruth, CA · RUTH, CA
- Location: 40.2696° N, 123.3214° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ruth, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2696&lon=-123.3214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK72DVG60
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVG60

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0780  72/5/14    RUTH,CALIF          PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 80 TOTAL
        TIME - 1430                    N5171S              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 13 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RUTH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RUTH,CALIF                  SANTA ROSA,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           90                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- VEERED L AFTER T/O. PLT LOST CTL. PLT STATED WINDS GUSTY,VELOCITY NOT REPORTED. DENSITY ALT 4500FT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5171S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5171S-1973-06-25), registration cancelled 1973-06-25, S/N 287105025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Ruth

## Other investigations on N5171S (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 OAK73AP037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73AP037), Apr 20, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N5171S), Ukiah, CA, destroyed, 3 fatal

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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