# NTSB SEA72AS049: Piper J5A, N38289, Spanaway, WA, May 5, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 5, 1972
- Place: Spanaway, WA · SPANAWAY, WA
- Location: 47.0981° N, 122.4234° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Spanaway, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0981&lon=-122.4234&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA72AS049
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72AS049

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0781   72/5/5  NR.SPANAWAY,WASH      PIPER J5A           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 24, 1132
        TIME - 1900                    N38289              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 18 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FT.LEWIS STRIP 7
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SPANAWAY,WASH                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - POORLY PLANNED APPROACH
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - FLIGHT AND NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS: AIRSPEED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ERRATIC
        REMARKS- A/S INDICATOR INOPERATIVE,NOT EQUIPPED WITH FLAPS. PLT MADE HI SLIPPING APCH,FULL NOSE UP TRIM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38289](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38289-1972-08-14), registration cancelled 1972-08-14, S/N 5-925 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Ft.Lewis Strip 7

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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