# NTSB DEN80FA057: Piper PA-32, N4429T, Choteau, MT, August 21, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 21, 1980
- Place: Choteau, MT · CHOTEAU, MT
- Location: 47.8137° N, 112.1794° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Choteau, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8137&lon=-112.1794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN80FA057
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FA057

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3597  80/8/21    CHOTEAU,MT          PIPER PA-32         CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 461
        TIME - 1835                    N4429T              PX-  3  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 135 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHOTEAU
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BILLINGS,MT                 CHOTEAU,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- 2.5GALS FUEL FD IN L TIP TK,L MAIN TK EMPTY,SELECTOR FD IN L WING TIP POS.R TKS RUPTURED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4429T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4429T-1981-10-19), registration cancelled 1981-10-19, S/N 32-7240081, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Choteau

## 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 19800821037669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800821037669A), Aug 21, 1980: Piper PA32300, Choteau, MT, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Engine quit on final. Airplane struck hill off approach end of runway. Fuel selector on empty tank.

## Other investigations on N4429T (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 SEA74DYC62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYC62), Jun 23, 1974: Piper PA-32 (N4429T), Pacific City, OR, 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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