# NTSB OAK77DVW28: Fournier RF4D, N7752, Tonopah, NV, July 31, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 31, 1977
- Place: Tonopah, NV · TONOPAH, NV
- Location: 38.0822° N, 117.2246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tonopah, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0822&lon=-117.2246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 146274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK77DVW28
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVW28

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2049  77/7/31    TONOPAH,NV          FOURNIER RF4D       CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0730                    N7752               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 62, 2715 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            152 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TONOPAH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TONOPAH,NV                  ELKO,NV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        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                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     RIGHT QUARTERING HEAD WIND 023-067 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           73                                                       20
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           12                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- D/A ESTIMATED 7850FT.ENG-POWERED GLIDER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7752](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7752-1991-04-23), registration cancelled 1991-04-23, S/N 4119 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FOURNIER RF4D
- Registry model: [Sportavia-Putzer FOURNIER R.F.4.D](https://openairdocs.org/model/sportavia-putzer-fournier-r-f-4-d) (registry code 8451012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Tonopah

## 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 19770731024479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770731024479A), Jul 31, 1977: Sptpuz RF4D, Tonopah, NV, Substantial damage. D/a estimated 7850FT.eng-powered glider.

## Other investigations on N7752 (2)

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 MKC72DGD40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DGD40), Jul 12, 1971: Fournier RF4D (N7752), Sibley, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC70D0149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70D0149), Aug 28, 1969: Fournier RF-4D (N7752), Pella, IA, 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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