# NTSB OAK79FXQ03: Piper PA-31, N72MH, Reno, NV, November 18, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 18, 1978
- Place: Reno, NV · RENO, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 26, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK79FXQ03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FXQ03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3270  78/11/18   RENO,NV             PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1820                    N72MH               PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 29, 2200 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            25 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RENO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MCCALL,ID                   SACRAMENTO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: SELECTOR VALVES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72MH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72MH-1994-11-29), registration cancelled 1994-11-29, S/N 31611 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Reno

## 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 19781118036019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781118036019A), Nov 18, 1978: Piper PA31T1, Reno, NV, Substantial damage

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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