# NTSB OAK77FA044: Piper PA-32R, N1263H, Tahoe Paradise, CA, July 24, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 24, 1977
- Place: Tahoe Paradise, CA · TAHOE PARADISE, CA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 21, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 146008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK77FA044
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77FA044

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3194  77/7/24    TAHOE PARADISE,CA   PIPER PA-32R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 48, 191
        TIME - 1312                    N1263H              PX-  1  3  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 6 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LAKE TAHOE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TAHOE PARADISE,CA           EL MONTE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN/LOWER SCATTERED                                    15000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      78
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       12
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      VFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TURNED TOWARD RISING TERRAIN.PLT BLOOD ALCOHOL LVL 0.15%. D/A APRX 8500FT.GUSTING 20K.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1263H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1263H-1977-12-22), registration cancelled 1977-12-22, S/N 32R-7780148 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lake Tahoe

## 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 19770724033969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770724033969A), Jul 24, 1977: Amtr 7109041, Tahoe Paradise, CA, Destroyed. Turned toward rising terrain. Plt blood alcohol lvl 0.15 . D/a aprx 8500FT.gusting 20K.

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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