# NTSB OAK77DVW18: Piper PA-32R, N4488F, Death Valley, CA, May 28, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 28, 1977
- Place: Death Valley, CA · DEATH VALLEY, CA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 147642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK77DVW18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVW18

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1423  77/5/28    DEATH VALLEY CA     PIPER PA-32R        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 356
        TIME - 1000                    N4488F              PX-  0  0  5  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 22 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - AMARGOSA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DEATH VALLEY CA             LAS VEGAS,NV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: UNMARKED OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- EMBANKMENT AT DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4488F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Amargosa

## 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 19770528014649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770528014649A), May 28, 1977: Piper PA32R300, Death Valley Ca, CA, Substantial damage. Embankment at departure end of runway

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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