# NTSB OAK76FVM19: Piper J-3, N3614K, Saratoga, CA, December 15, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 15, 1975
- Place: Saratoga, CA · SARATOGA, CA
- Location: 37.2683° N, 122.0262° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saratoga, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2683&lon=-122.0262&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 151717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK76FVM19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76FVM19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3718  75/12/15   SARATOGA,CA         PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 21, 153
        TIME - 1600                    N3614K              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 19 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SANTA CRUZ,CA               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        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                                                      50
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          360                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- MANEUVERS AROUND THE CREST OF A RIDGE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3614K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3614K), registered now, S/N 22304, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (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 19751215038979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19751215038979A), Dec 15, 1975: Piper J3C65, Saratoga, CA, Substantial damage. Maneuvers around the crest of a ridge.

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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