# NTSB OAK74AP042: Piper PA-23, N6117Y, Sutter Crk, CA, March 1, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 1, 1974
- Place: Sutter Crk, CA · SUTTER CRK, CA
- Location: 38.3924° N, 120.7990° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sutter Creek, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3924&lon=-120.7990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74AP042
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74AP042

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0523   74/3/1    SUTTER CRK,CALIF    PIPER PA-23         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1030                    N6117Y              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  65, 28800 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            100 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RENO,NEV                    SAN JOSE,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           SYSTEMS - AIR CONDITION,HEATING AND PRESSURIZATION: OTHER
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: LINES AND FITTINGS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LEAK/LEAKAGE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTENTIONAL WHEELS-UP
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  FUMES IN CABIN
        REMARKS- CABIN HEATER VALVE NOT SAFETY WIRED,BACKED OFF CAUSING FUEL LEAK & INTERRUPTING FUEL FLOW TO ENG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6117Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6117Y-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 27-3326, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19740301005439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740301005439A), Mar 1, 1974: Piper PA23250, Sutter Crk, CA, Substantial damage. Cabin heater valve not safety wired,backed off causing fuel leak & interrupting fuel flow to eng.

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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