# NTSB FTW82DA280: Piper PA-38-112, N25187, New Braunfels, TX, July 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1982, 20:12 local (Jul 13, 1982, 01:12 UTC)
- Place: New Braunfels, TX
- Coordinates: 29.699113, -98.109024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6991&lon=-98.1090&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 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA280

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY POWER AT THE END OF A DESCENT, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. APPROACH CONTROL PROVIDED VECTORS TO AN AIRPORT, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOO LOW TO REACH IT. THE PILOT SELECTED A ROAD FOR A LANDING, BUT NOTICED POWER LINES AND ELECTED TO LAND ON A HILL, ADJACENT TO THE ROAD. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A FENCE AND SEPARATED. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE PLANE SLID TO A STOP. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITION TO THE RIGHT TANK AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD NOT SELECTED THE LEFT TANK DURING THE DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25187](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25187-1983-06-01), registration cancelled 1983-06-01, S/N 38-80A0052, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-80A0052
- Airframe hours: 1085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trinity Piper, Inc.
- Registered owner: Trinity Piper, Inc.
- Departed: FT. WORTH, TX
- Destination: SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 105 total, 58 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 196 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 15 nm away

## 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 19820712044459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820712044459A), Jul 12, 1982: Piper PA38112, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Exhausted fuel from right tank. Failed to switch to other tank with fuel. Crash landed on a hillside.

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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