# NTSB FTW79DA053: Piper PA-31, N61517, Claude, TX, February 23, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: February 23, 1979
- Place: Claude, TX · CLAUDE, TX
- Location: 35.1074° N, 101.3629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Claude, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1074&lon=-101.3629&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79DA053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DA053

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0534  79/2/23  NR.CLAUDE,TX          PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0026                    N61517              PX-  0  1  0  AIR TAXI-CARGO            41, 7119 TOTAL HOURS, 7
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOUMA,LA                    AMARILLO,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: FENCE,FENCEPOSTS                          LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIDDEN OBSTRUCTIONS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PLT FAILED TO CHECK QUANITY OF FUEL IN TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61517](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61517-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 31-7552021, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (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 19790223005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790223005849A), Feb 23, 1979: Piper PA31, Claude, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to check fuel quantity before takeoff because of heavy rain. Ran out of fuel entoute at night.

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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