# NTSB FTW80FQD05: Piper PA-32, N478GL, El Paso, TX, March 28, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 28, 1980
- Place: El Paso, TX · EL PASO, TX
- Location: 31.7587° N, 106.4869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Paso, TX, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7587&lon=-106.4869&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 22, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FQD05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FQD05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0154  80/3/28    EL PASO,TX          PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 59, 224
        TIME - 1342                    N478GL              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 94 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EL PASO INTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EL PASO,TX                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- R FUEL TANKS FOUND EMPTY,L TANKS CONTAINED FUEL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N478GL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N478GL-2005-07-15), registration cancelled 2005-07-15, S/N 32R-7887125, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (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
- Airport: El Paso Intl

## 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 19800328007419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800328007419A), Mar 28, 1980: Piper PA32RT300T, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Stated engine surged. Crashed on a golf course. One tank empty. Selector on full tank. Throttle friction lock worn out.

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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