# NTSB DEN79FQA23: Piper PA-28, N5428F, Gallup, NM, April 6, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: April 6, 1979
- Place: Gallup, NM · GALLUP, NM
- Location: 35.5138° N, 108.7437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gallup, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5138&lon=-108.7437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN79FQA23
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FQA23

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3257   79/4/6    GALLUP,NM           PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 24, 91 TOTAL
        TIME - 1940                    N5428F              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  HOURS, 13 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DENVER,CO                   GALLUP,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           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: [N5428F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5428F), registered now, S/N 28-7790118, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790406006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790406006499A), Apr 6, 1979: Piper PA28181, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Engine failed at night due to 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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