# NTSB OAK73FVA22: Piper PA-22, N2540A, Riverdale, CA, October 1, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 1, 1972
- Place: Riverdale, CA · RIVERDALE, CA
- Location: 36.4304° N, 119.8672° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Riverdale, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4304&lon=-119.8672&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK73FVA22
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FVA22

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2541   72/10/1   RIVERDALE,CALIF     PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 44, 50 TOTAL
        TIME - 1900                    N2540A              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FRESNO,CALIF                RIVERDALE,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- HIT WIRES DURG ATMT TO LND ON UNLIGHTED ROAD AT NIGHT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2540A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2540A), registered now, S/N 22-837 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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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