# NTSB ATL80FKW16: Piper PA-32, N3157D, Sparta, TN, July 8, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 8, 1980
- Place: Sparta, TN · SPARTA, TN
- Location: 35.9347° N, 85.4726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sparta, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9347&lon=-85.4726&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL80FKW16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FKW16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0969   80/7/8    SPARTA,TN           PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 41, 1294
        TIME - 1228                    N3157D              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SPARTA-WHITE CO.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SPARTA,TN                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      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 - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: TANKS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LEAK/LEAKAGE
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- BOTH TIP TANKS & L MAIN FUEL TANK EMPTY,R MAIN FULL,SEL BTN L MAIN & L TIP.L MAIN LEAKED IN TESTG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3157D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3157D-1991-05-21), registration cancelled 1991-05-21, S/N 3247 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sparta-White Co.

## 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 19800708024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800708024189A), Jul 8, 1980: Piper PA32260, Sparta, TN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on initial takeoff climb. Crash-landed off end of runway. Found fuel selector on empty tank.

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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