# NTSB UNK74X0116: Piper PA-23, N765WC, Virgin Gorda, U.S. Virgin Islands, July 26, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 26, 1974
- Place: Virgin Gorda, U.S. Virgin Islands · VIRGIN GORDA,BVI, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=UNK74X0116
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK74X0116

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6-0045  74/7/26    VIRGIN GORDA,BVI    PIPER PA-23         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 33, 3135
        TIME - 1720                    N765WC              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 2815 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VIRGIN GORDA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VIRGIN GORDA,BVI            ST THOMAS,VI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PREVIOUS DAMAGE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FIRE IN ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- POST MAINT TEST FLT.PREVIOUS FIRE IN L ENG COMPTMT.INVESTIGATION JURISDICTION BRITISH GOVT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N765WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N765WC-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 23-1991, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Virgin Gorda

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.