# NTSB ATL80DKJ16: Cessna 172, N738AU, Butler, AL, July 3, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 3, 1980
- Place: Butler, AL · BUTLER, AL
- Location: 32.0965° N, 88.2108° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Butler, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0965&lon=-88.2108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL80DKJ16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80DKJ16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2038   80/7/3    BUTLER,AL           CESSNA 172          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 29, 111
        TIME - 2140                    N738AU              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 9 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHOCTAW COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COLUMBUS,GA                 BUTLER,AL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738AU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738AU-1982-03-02), registration cancelled 1982-03-02, S/N 17269832 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Choctaw County

## 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 19800703023339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800703023339A), Jul 3, 1980: Cessna 172N, Butler, AL, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed just short of runway. Engine quit on final approach. Fuel exhaustion.

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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