# NTSB SEA78FA047: Piper PA-28R, N5068S, Coeur D'Alene, ID, July 16, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 16, 1978
- Place: Coeur D'Alene, ID · COEUR D'ALENE, ID
- Location: 47.7029° N, 116.7958° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Coeur d'Alene, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7029&lon=-116.7958&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FA047
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA047

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1352  78/7/16    COEUR D'ALENE,ID    PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 47, 1100
        TIME - 0918                    N5068S              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COEUR D'ALENE,ID            BILLINGS,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: MASTER AND CONNECTING RODS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- NR 3 CONROD BOLT CAME LOOSE. PLT DITCHED 100 YDS FROM SHORE. PAX MISSING,PRESUMED FATAL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5068S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5068S-1982-03-01), registration cancelled 1982-03-01, S/N 28R-35807 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (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 19780716021919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780716021919A), Jul 16, 1978: Piper PA28R, Coeur D'Alene, ID, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Nr 3 conrod bolt came loose. Plt ditched 100 yds from shore. Pax ing,presumed fatal.

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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