# NTSB MKC78FA053: Piper PA-32, N5510J, Denison, IA, July 1, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 1, 1978
- Place: Denison, IA · DENISON, IA
- Location: 42.0159° N, 95.3524° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Denison, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0159&lon=-95.3524&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC78FA053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FA053

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3616   78/7/1    DENISON,IA          PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 43, 450
        TIME - 1545                    N5510J              PX-  3  3  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DENISON MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          AINSWORTH,NE                DUPAGE,IL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: VENTS,DRAINS,TANK CAPS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JAMMED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- QUICK DRAIN LEVER JAMMED OPEN.PROTECTIVE COVER MISSING.TESTS CONCLUDED OVER 1/2 TANK FUEL LEFT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5510J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5510J-1978-07-01), registration cancelled 1978-07-01, S/N 32-1052, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Denison 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 19780701040489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780701040489A), Jul 1, 1978: Piper PA32RT300, Denison, IA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Quick drain lever jammed open. Protective cover missing. Tests concd over 1/2 tank fuel left.

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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