# NTSB ATL81FA072: Piper PA-30, N7512Y, Smyrna, TN, May 12, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 12, 1981
- Place: Smyrna, TN · SMYRNA, TN
- Location: 35.9675° N, 86.5253° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Smyrna, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9675&lon=-86.5253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA072
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA072

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1191  81/5/12    SMYRNA,TN           PIPER PA-30         CR-  1  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 42, 5300
        TIME - 1018                    N7512Y              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SMYRNA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          JACKSON,MS                  SMYRNA,TN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FAILURE OF TWO OR MORE ENGINES
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- MAIN TANKS EMPTY,AUX TANKS HAD FUEL.FUEL SEL.ON MAINS.PIC TOLD C/P TO STAY ON MAINS AFTER ENG QUIT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7512Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7512Y-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 30-576, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Smyrna

## 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 19810512024549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810512024549A), May 12, 1981: Piper PA30, Smyrna, TN, Destroyed. Engines quit during instrument approach. Pilot attempted emergency landing but hit tree and crashed.

## Other investigations on N7512Y (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 DIA68F0052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68F0052), Jul 23, 1967: Piper PA-30 (N7512Y), Greensboro, NC, 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.

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