# NTSB DEN80AA026: Piper PA-31, N3540T, Moab, UT, February 29, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 29, 1980
- Place: Moab, UT · MOAB, UT
- Location: 38.5701° N, 109.5478° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Moab, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5701&lon=-109.5478&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN80AA026
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80AA026

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3754  80/2/29    MOAB,UT             PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1220                    N3540T              PX-  0  0  4  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      28, 3248 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        2014 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CANYONLANDS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MOAB,UT                     SALT LAKE CITY,UT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL CONTAMINATION-EXCLUSIVE OF WATER IN FUEL
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- REFUELED WITH MIX OF 100LL GASOLINE & EITHER JET A OR JET B TURBINE FUEL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3540T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Canyonlands

## 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 19800229004729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800229004729A), Feb 29, 1980: Piper PA31350, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Airplane hit ditch off end of airport. Found jet fuel mixed with avgas in tanks.

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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