# NTSB OAK78DXQ47: Piper PA-22, N3615Z, Elko, NV, September 15, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 15, 1978
- Place: Elko, NV · ELKO, NV
- Location: 40.8381° N, 115.7678° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elko, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8381&lon=-115.7678&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78DXQ47
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DXQ47

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2392  78/9/15  NR.ELKO,NV            PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 3578
        TIME - 1330                    N3615Z              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 305 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WINNEMUCCA,NV               SALT LAKE CITY,UT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3615Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3615Z-1982-08-09), registration cancelled 1982-08-09, S/N 227505 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (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 19780915026539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780915026539A), Sep 15, 1978: Piper PA22150, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Unable to outclimb rising terrain.

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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