# NTSB FTW80FQA39: Piper PA-15, N4123H, Fort Sumner, NM, September 14, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 14, 1980
- Place: Fort Sumner, NM · FORT SUMNER, NM
- Location: 34.4868° N, 104.2178° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Sumner, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4868&lon=-104.2178&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 9, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FQA39
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FQA39

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2818  80/9/14  NR.FORT SUMNER,NM     PIPER PA-15         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 41, 6200
        TIME - 2230                    N4123H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LOGAN,NM                   FORT SUMNER,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - POWERPLANT-INSTRUMENTS: FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ERRATIC
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4123H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4123H), registered now, S/N 15-6 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-15
- Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, 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 19800914041519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800914041519A), Sep 14, 1980: Piper PA15, Ft Sumner, NM, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel approaching destination. Crash landed during night emergency landing. Gas gauge inaccurate.

## Other investigations on N4123H (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 CEN20CA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA222), Jun 8, 2020: Piper PA 15 (N4123H), Lancaster, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during 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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