# NTSB OAK73FXQ26: Piper PA-28, N5772F, Mammoth Lks, CA, April 16, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 16, 1973
- Place: Mammoth Lks, CA · MAMMOTH LKS, CA
- Location: 37.6244° N, 118.9884° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mammoth Lakes, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6244&lon=-118.9884&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 170637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK73FXQ26
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FXQ26

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0888  73/4/16  NR.MAMMOTH LKS,CALIF  PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 361
        TIME - 1015                    N5772F              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 281 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MAMMOTH LKS,CALIF            VAN NUYS,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        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                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      60
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          200                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- UN TO OUTCLIMB LEE SIDE OF MTN SLOPE. DENS ALT ABOUT 11000 FT. LACKED MTN FLT EXPERIENCE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5772F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5772F-1974-04-23), registration cancelled 1974-04-23, S/N 28-25241 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19730416009829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730416009829A), Apr 16, 1973: Piper PA28140, Mammoth Lks, CA, Substantial damage. Un to outclimb lee side of mtn slope. Dens alt about 11000 ft. lacked mtn flt experience.

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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