# NTSB OAK78FA037: Piper PA-34, N56954, Ysmite Nat Pk, CA, July 4, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 4, 1978
- Place: Ysmite Nat Pk, CA · YSMITE NAT PK, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FA037
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FA037

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2388   78/7/4    YSMITE NAT PK,CA    PIPER PA-34         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 104
        TIME - 2350                    N56954              PX-  4  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 16 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MARIPOSA,CA                 LONG BEACH,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 07/10/78. BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL TESTED .08%.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56954-1981-12-23), registration cancelled 1981-12-23, S/N 34-7450042 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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