# NTSB OAK75AP031: Piper PA-28, N6973W, Eureka, CA, January 17, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 17, 1975
- Place: Eureka, CA · EUREKA, CA
- Location: 40.7990° N, 124.1540° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eureka, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7990&lon=-124.1540&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK75AP031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75AP031-201474

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0087  75/1/17    EUREKA,CA           PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 25, 50 TOTAL
        TIME - 1340                    N6973W              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 15 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MURRAY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CRESCENT CITY,CA            EUREKA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIRAL                                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - POORLY PLANNED APPROACH
        REMARKS- STEEP TURN FROM CLOSE IN DOWNWIND LEG.PLT HAD 1 HR DUAL IN TYPE ACFT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6973W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6973W-1975-03-10), registration cancelled 1975-03-10, S/N 28-21171 (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
- Airport: Murray

## 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 19750117000969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750117000969A), Jan 17, 1975: Piper PA28140, Eureka, CA, Destroyed. Steep turn from close in downwind leg. Plt had 1 hr dual in type acft.

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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