# NTSB FTW81FRG67: Piper PA-38, N2396A, Gillette, TX, September 28, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 28, 1981
- Place: Gillette, TX · GILLETTE, TX
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FRG67
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRG67

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2628  81/9/28    GILLETTE,TX         PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 27, 15 TOTAL
        TIME - 1400                    N2396A              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          HOUSTON,TX                  TOMBALL,TX                   COLLEGE STATION,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2396A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2396A-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 38-78A0665, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (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 19810928063669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810928063669A), Sep 28, 1981: Piper PA38112, Gillette, TX, Substantial damage. Off course, ran out of fuel. Overshot 2000 feet of open field on forced landing.s truck trees and a fence.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.