# NTSB LAX80FVA03: Piper PA-32, N21307, Merced, CA, October 2, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 2, 1980
- Place: Merced, CA · MERCED, CA
- Location: 37.3114° N, 120.4704° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Merced, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3114&lon=-120.4704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVA03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVA03-128660

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2828   80/10/2   MERCED,CA           PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 143
        TIME - 1736                    N21307              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 35 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MERCED MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          MERCED,CA                   RETURN                       FRESNO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           STALL: SPIN                                              LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- DECLARED EMERG,LOW FUEL.OVRSHOT RWY.GEAR WENT DWN,UP,DWN.AUTO GEAR SYS.FUEL SEL,R TNKS.FIRE DMG L.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21307](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21307-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N 32R-7887198, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Merced 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 19801002049919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801002049919A), Oct 2, 1980: Piper PA32RT300T, Merced, CA, Destroyed. Believe low fuel. Came over runway gear up too fast. Began go-around. Engine quit. Crashed. Fuel select 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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