Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

October 19, 1995 · Piper PA-31 · N693MA

Anderson, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Anderson, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-31
Tail Number
N693MA
Operator
Munice Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA014

THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING OFF AT 4000 FEET MSL, THE LEFT ENGINE AREA ERUPTED IN FLAMES. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS EXECUTED. A POST FLIGHT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE OIL LINE WHICH SUPPLIES THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED. THE DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE (DOM) FOR THE COMPANY OWNING N693MA STATED THIS WAS THE AIRCRAFT'S FIRST FLIGHT AFTER A 50 HOUR INSPECTION. THE DOM STATED THAT IT WAS NOT NORMAL PRACTICE TO REMOVE THE OIL LINE TO THE TURBOCHARGER DURING A 50 HOUR INSPECTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

inadequate maintenance in that an engine oil line was not properly tightened after routine maintenance. A factor was the disconnected oil line.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 1995, at 0547 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-31, N693MA, piloted by a commercial pilot was substantially damaged from a left engine fire in cruise flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating on a IFR flight plan. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed from Munice, Indiana, at 0530 edt. The pilot stated that he had just leveled off the aircraft at 4000 feet mean sea level. Shortly thereafter, the left engine area erupted in flames. Upon seeing the fire the pilot pulled the mixture control to idle cutoff, and shut off the fuel selector valve for the left engine. However, the fire continued in the engine area until landing. The pilot received a vector from Indianapolis Approach Control for the emergency descent/landing at Anderson, Indiana. A post flight examination by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the left engine's turbocharger oil line was not attached at the accessory case on the engine. In a telephone interview with the pilot he stated that during the preflight he checked the oil on both engines, but did not open the engine side inspection doors. The pilot stated he did not feather the left engine, because he needed the extra drag to execute the rapid descent. The windmilling prop would drive the engine's oil pump, causing the engine's oil to be expelled out the accessory case opening. A telephone interview was conducted with the director of maintenance (DOM) for the company that owned N693MA. He stated this was the aircraft's first flight after a 50 hour inspection. The DOM said that a different mechanic had worked on each engine. The inspection was accomplished in accordance with Piper service report #230764. N693MA was then run up and checked for oil leaks, with none found. The DOM stated that it was not normal practice to remove the oil line to the turbocharger during a 50 hour inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31
Tail NumberN693MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMunice Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data