# NTSB MKC79FER52: Piper PA-38, N4324E, St.Paul, MN, July 7, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 7, 1979
- Place: St.Paul, MN · ST.PAUL, MN
- Location: 44.9444° N, 93.0933° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Paul, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9444&lon=-93.0933&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 19, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC79FER52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FER52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3837   79/7/7    ST.PAUL,MN          PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  1  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 29, 27 TOTAL
        TIME - 1615                    N4324E              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, 9 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ST PAUL DOWNTOWN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ST.PAUL,MN                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FIRST SOLO FLIGHT.COLLIDED W UTILITY POLE & WIRE DRG FORCED LNDG.FUEL SEL PSND TO EMPTY TANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4324E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4324E-1982-09-22), registration cancelled 1982-09-22, S/N 38-78A0550, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: St Paul Downtown

## 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 19790707036559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790707036559A), Jul 7, 1979: Piper PA38112, St Paul, MN, Destroyed. Engine quit in pattern due to empty right fuel cell. Hit wires on ldg in city street. Fuel in left 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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