# NTSB SEA79FTA04: Piper PA-24, N8758P, Billings, MT, December 2, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 2, 1978
- Place: Billings, MT · BILLINGS, MT
- Location: 45.7833° N, 108.5007° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Billings, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7833&lon=-108.5007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FTA04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTA04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3361   78/12/2   BILLINGS,MT         PIPER PA-24         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 529
        TIME - 1540                    N8758P              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 6 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LOGAN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BILLINGS,MT                 LAUREL,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- MAIN TANKS EMPTY,AUX TANKS FULL. PLACARD STATES AUX TANKS NOT TO BE USED FOR LNDG & TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8758P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8758P), registered now, S/N 24-4208, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: Substantial damage
- Airport: Logan

## 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 19781202036949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781202036949A), Dec 2, 1978: Piper PA24400, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Main tanks empty,aux tanks full. Placard states aux tanks not to sed for lndg & tkof.

## Other investigations on N8758P (2)

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.

- [NTSB MIA76FLG30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLG30), May 10, 1976: Piper PA-24 (N8758P), Greenwood, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN67D0035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN67D0035), Jul 3, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N8758P), Albuquerque, NM, 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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