# NTSB FTW81DPD12: Piper PA-31P, N4912M, Denton, TX, February 15, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 15, 1981
- Place: Denton, TX · DENTON, TX
- Location: 33.2148° N, 97.1331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Denton, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2148&lon=-97.1331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DPD12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DPD12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1275  81/2/15    DENTON,TX           PIPER PA-31P        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1705                    N4912M              PX-  0  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 54, 15338 TOTAL HOURS, 45
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DENTON MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ADA,OK                      DENTON,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4912M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Denton Muni

## 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 19810215010589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810215010589A), Feb 15, 1981: Piper PA31P, Denton, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot misjudged fuel situation and crashed during emergency 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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