# NTSB FTW81FQD26: Beech D17S, N5447N, Canutillo, TX, June 6, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 6, 1981
- Place: Canutillo, TX · CANUTILLO, TX
- Location: 31.9185° N, 106.6011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Canutillo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9185&lon=-106.6011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FQD26
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FQD26

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1213   81/6/6    CANUTILLO,TX        BEECH D17S          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 52, 600
        TIME - 1500                    N5447N              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 250 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CIELO DORADO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EL PASO,TX                  CANUTILLO,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED BETWEEN TANKS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5447N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5447N), registered now, S/N 4875, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D17S
- Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Cielo Dorado

## 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 19810606045839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810606045839A), Jun 6, 1981: Beech D17S, Canutillo, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during approach for landing. Pilot selected empty tank.

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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