# NTSB OAK74DVD16: Piper PA-32, N56329, Novato, CA, October 27, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 27, 1973
- Place: Novato, CA · NOVATO, CA
- Location: 38.0851° N, 122.5483° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Novato, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0851&lon=-122.5483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74DVD16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVD16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3097  73/10/27   NOVATO,CALIF        PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 79 TOTAL
        TIME - 1420                    N56329              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 26 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GNOSS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NOVATO,CALIF                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: ABORTED
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF BRAKES AND/OR FLIGHT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        FACTOR(S)
           DUAL STUDENT - SPONTANEOUS-IMPROPER ACTION
        REMARKS- MISTOOK TRUCK ON PROPERTY NEXT TO RWY DEP END FOR ONCOMING ACFT DUE REFLECTION. ABORTED TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56329](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56329-2011-02-17), registration cancelled 2011-02-17, S/N 327340171, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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
- Airport: Gnoss

## 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 19731027033309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731027033309A), Oct 27, 1973: Piper PA32300, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Mistook truck on property next to rwy dep end for oncoming acft due reflection. Aborted tkof.

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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