# NTSB SEA78FA063: Piper PA-28, N39499, Sisters, OR, September 7, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 7, 1978
- Place: Sisters, OR · SISTERS, OR
- Location: 44.2924° N, 121.5530° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sisters, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2924&lon=-121.5530&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FA063
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA063

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3108   78/9/7  NR.SISTERS,OR         PIPER PA-28         CR-  2  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1001                    N39499              PX-  2  0  0  DUAL                      59, 12961 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            1500 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SALEM,OR                    REDMOND,OR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               8000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      40
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR (VFR CONDITIONS ON TOP)
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 9/12/78.MOUNTAIN TOPS OBSCURED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39499](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39499-1982-07-23), registration cancelled 1982-07-23, S/N 28-7816665, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (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 19780907034859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780907034859A), Sep 7, 1978: Piper PA28160, Sisters, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Recovery date 9/12/78.mountain tops obscured.

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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