# NTSB LAX80DUG60: Piper PA-15, N4388H, Needles, CA, September 28, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 28, 1980
- Place: Needles, CA · NEEDLES, CA
- Location: 34.8136° N, 114.6266° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Needles, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8136&lon=-114.6266&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DUG60
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUG60

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2583  80/9/28    NEEDLES,CA          PIPER PA-15         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 292
        TIME - 0925                    N4388H              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 91 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NEEDLES MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          YUMA,AZ                    UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED          LAKE HAVASU,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4388H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4388H-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 15-172, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-15
- Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Needles Muni

## 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 19800928048559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800928048559A), Sep 28, 1980: Piper PA15, Needles, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted emergency landing after exhausting fuel.

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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