# NTSB SEA71AS013: Piper PA-32, N3540W, Missing Aircraft, WA, September 6, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 6, 1970
- Place: Missing Aircraft, WA · MISSING AIRCRAFT, WA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 19, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 170400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA71AS013
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71AS013

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1924   70/9/6    MISSING AIRCRAFT    PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2006                    N3540W              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            AGE 28, 1923 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            400 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NAS WHIDBEY IS,WASH         ANACORTES,WASH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISSING AIRCRAFT,NOT RECOVERED                           IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        REMARKS- RADAR,RADIO CONT LOST APRX 4MI W OF ARPT,ABT 6 MIN AFT TKOF.ACFT DMG,PLT INJURY,ACDNT TIME PRESUMD
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3540W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3540W-2011-07-05), registration cancelled 2011-07-05, S/N 32-426, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Nas Whidbey Is

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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