# NTSB FTW83LA196: Piper PA 24-180, N5064P, Socorro, NM, April 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1983, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Socorro, NM
- Coordinates: 34.049076, -106.89952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0491&lon=-106.8995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA196

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS RETURNING FROM A CROSS-COUNTRY FLT AND CRASH LANDED ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT SAID HE ADDED POWER TO REACH THE RWY BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SLID TO A STOP. AN FAA REPRESENTATIVE VISITED THE SCENE ABOUT 3 HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE STATED HE COULD FIND NO FUEL IN EITHER TANK AND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE APPEARED TO BE IN PROPER ORDER. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUELED AT ITS ENROUTE STOP. THE TOTAL FLT TIME WAS 4 HOURS AND 39 MINUTES SINCE REFUELING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5064P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5064P-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 24-70, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-70
- Airframe hours: 5300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Dragon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1982, 27 hours before
- Departed: RTN, RATON, NM
- Destination: ONM, SOCORRO, NM
- Airport: ONM, Socorro, runway 15, 5,848 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 395 total, 32 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830418015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830418015479A), Apr 18, 1983: Piper PA24, Socorro, NM, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on final. Crash landed short of runway on an upslope embankment. Misjudged high altitude burn rate.

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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