# Accident 20181105021519A: Piper PA-24-250, Texico, NM, November 5, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 5, 2018, 18:00 local time
- Place: Texico, NM
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.3886° N, 103.0450° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3886&lon=-103.0450&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3214P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3214P-2022-01-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-24-250 (registry code 7102404, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 160 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA19CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA053) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181105021519A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT STATED HE FILLED BOTH FUEL TANKS (60 GALLONS FUEL ON-BOARD) PRIOR TO DEPARTING AUSTIN EXECUTIVE AIRPORT ( EDC).  HE SAID HE FLEW APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR ON LEFT TANK AND THEN SWITCHED TO RIGHT TANK.  HE FLEW APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS ON THE RIGHT TANK.  HE SAID HE FELT SOME BUFFETING (ENGINE SPUTTER) SO HE TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP AND SWITCHED BACK TO THE LEFT TANK.  HE SAID THIS OCCURRED OVER MULESHOE, TEXAS.  MULESHOE IS APPROXIMATELY 23 MILES SOUTHEAST OF RUNWAY 30 AT CLOVIS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (CVN).  THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER A FEW MINUTES AFTER HE SWITCHED TANKS.  HE THEN EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE HIGHWAY AT TEXICO, NEW MEXICO.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED AT THE INTERSECTION OF US HIGHWAY 70 AND US HIGHWAY 60 IN TEXICO, NEW MEXICO APPROXIMATELY THREE MILES SHORT OF THE CLOVIS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT RUNWAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 GAA19CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA053), Nov 5, 2018: Piper PA24 (N3214P), Texico, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N3214P (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20100416032039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100416032039I), Apr 16, 2010: Piper PA-24-250 (N3214P), Douglas, GA, Minor damage. Upon landing at Douglas Municipal Airport, right main landing gear collapsed. Aircraft slowed and spun around, then came to a stop.
- [Incident 19891028054929I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891028054929I), Oct 28, 1989: Piper PA24250 (N3214P), Memphis, TN, Minor damage. During run-up of engine on a maintenance test the brakes failed. Aircraft struck another parked aircraft.
- [Incident 19851014072649I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851014072649I), Oct 14, 1985: Piper PA24250 (N3214P), Muscle Shoals, AL, Minor damage. Pilot did not make sure gear was down for landing. Was unaware until touchdown.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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