# NTSB FTW81DQA33: Cessna 172, N3574S, Luna, NM, June 6, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 6, 1981
- Place: Luna, NM · LUNA, NM
- Location: 33.8175° N, 108.9412° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Luna, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8175&lon=-108.9412&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DQA33
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DQA33

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0973   81/6/6    LUNA,NM             CESSNA 172          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 122
        TIME - 1930                    N3574S              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FT STOCKTON,TX              SPRINGERVILLE,AZ
        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 - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- NOSE WHL DROPPED INTO A GOPHER HOLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3574S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3574S-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N 17250774, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (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: Destroyed

## 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 19810606032739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810606032739A), Jun 6, 1981: Cessna 172E, Luna, NM, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landing in desert, struck a gopher hole. Nosed over. Failed to note headwind.

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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