# NTSB CHI79FEM08: Piper PA-23, N5120Y, Muskegon Hgts, MI, January 5, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 5, 1979
- Place: Muskegon Hgts, MI · MUSKEGON HGTS, MI
- Location: 43.2019° N, 86.2410° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Muskegon Heights, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2019&lon=-86.2410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 13, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEM08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEM08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0127   79/1/5  NR.MUSKEGON HGTS,MI   PIPER PA-23         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 3580
        TIME - 0030                    N5120Y              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-CARGO            TOTAL HOURS, 753 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MUSKEGON COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MUSKEGON HGTS,MI             ROCKFORD, IL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           WHEELS-UP                                                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
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
        REMARKS- PLT STATED SWITCHED FM EMPTY INBOARDS TO OUTBOARD MAINS JUST BFR TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5120Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5120Y-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 27-2152, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Muskegon 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 19790105000359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790105000359A), Jan 5, 1979: Piper PA23250, Muskegon, MI, Substantial damage. Left engine failed on takeoff due to fuel exhaustion. Pilot landed with nose gear in transit.

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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