# NTSB UNK64X1988: Piper PA20, N6978K, Center, CO, May 28, 1964

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 28, 1964
- Place: Center, CO · CENTER, CO
- Location: 37.7523° N, 106.1104° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Center, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7523&lon=-106.1104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1964
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 183743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=UNK64X1988
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1988

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1449  64/5/28    CENTER COLO         PIPER PA20          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 58, 641
        TIME - 1800                    N6978K              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 3 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LEACH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
          ARPT COND-RNWY CONSTRUCTION.
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6978K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6978K), registered now, S/N 20-81 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Leach

## Other investigations on N6978K (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI72FEP37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72FEP37), Apr 15, 1972: Piper PA-20 (N6978K), Twin Lakes, WI, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.