# NTSB OAK74FVG20: Semco T, N9975, Chico, CA, December 8, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 8, 1973
- Place: Chico, CA · CHICO, CA
- Location: 39.7285° N, 121.8375° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chico, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7285&lon=-121.8375&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74FVG20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVG20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3791   73/12/8   CHICO,CALIF         SEMCO T             CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 35,
        TIME - 1203                    N9975               PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  UNK/NR TOTAL HOURS, 26 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHICO,CALIF                UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- BALLON OVER MAX GWT,UN CLEAR PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9975](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9975-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N SEM86, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SEMCO T
- Registry model: [Semco Balloon T](https://openairdocs.org/model/semco-balloon-t) (registry code 8071701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Balloon
- Engines: none
- 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 19731208039849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731208039849A), Dec 8, 1973: Semco MODELT, Chico, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Ballon over max gwt,un clear pwr lines.

## Other investigations on N9975 (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 OAK74FVG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVG16), Sep 29, 1973: Semco T (N9975), Sacremento, CA, 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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