# NTSB FTW78DQD16: Cessna 172G, N3908L, Imperial, TX, April 6, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 6, 1978
- Place: Imperial, TX · IMPERIAL, TX
- Location: 31.2668° N, 102.6947° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Imperial, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2668&lon=-102.6947&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78DQD16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DQD16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0497   78/4/6    IMPERIAL,TX         CESSNA 172G         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 23, 83 TOTAL
        TIME - 1545                    N3908L              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          IMPERIAL,TX                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3908L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3908L-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 17254077, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, 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 19780406005979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780406005979A), Apr 6, 1978: Cessna 172G, Imperial, TX, Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N3908L (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 MIA98LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA036), Nov 28, 1997: Cessna 172G (N3908L), Hazel Green, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's miscalculating the aircraft's fuel consumption for the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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