# NTSB SEA78FA061: Piper J3, N6391H, Lynden, WA, September 4, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 4, 1978
- Place: Lynden, WA · LYNDEN, WA
- Location: 48.9480° N, 122.4589° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lynden, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9480&lon=-122.4589&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FA061
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA061

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2525   78/9/4  NR.LYNDEN,WA          PIPER J3            CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 20, 198
        TIME - 1710                    N6391H              PX-  1  0  0  POLICE PATROL             TOTAL HOURS, 64 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BLAINE,WA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- POLICE SEARCH FOR HOMICIDE VICTIM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6391H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6391H-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 19570, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (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 19780904028909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780904028909A), Sep 4, 1978: Piper L4B, Lynden, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Police search for homicide victim.

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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