# NTSB OAK78FA006: Piper PA-28, N3972R, Independence, CA, November 26, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 26, 1977
- Place: Independence, CA · INDEPENDENCE, CA
- Location: 36.8303° N, 118.2079° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Independence, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8303&lon=-118.2079&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FA006
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FA006

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3491  77/11/26 NR.INDEPENDENCE,CA    PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 25, 198
        TIME - 0936                    N3972R              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 16 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SUNNYVALE,CA                LAS VEGAS,NV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FLEW INTO BLIND CANYON
        REMARKS- MIL WX BRIEFING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3972R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3972R-1978-01-26), registration cancelled 1978-01-26, S/N 28-7105077 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19771126037179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771126037179A), Nov 26, 1977: Piper PA28180, Independence, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Mil wx briefing.

## Other investigations on N3972R (1)

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 OAK72DVM17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVM17), Dec 4, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N3972R), San Jose, CA, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.