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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 2, 1993 · Piper PA-34-200T · N31858

Williamson, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Williamson, WV
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N31858
Operator
W M T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO93LA151

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF HE NOTED AN ODOR. HE STATED THAT WITHIN 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE, HE NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COMPLETED THE EMERGENCY CHECKLIST WHICH INCLUDED TURNING OFF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. HE ELECTED TO RETURN FOR A LANDING. AFTER LANDING, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO TAXI THE AIRPLANE ONTO THE TAXIWAY. HE LEFT THE AIRPLANE TO SEEK ASSISTANCE IN EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. ON HIS RETURN TO THE AIRPLANE, HE NOTED THE FIRE HAD SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE CABIN AND TO THE EMPENNAGE AREA. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, BUT THE CABIN AREA AND NOSE COMPARTMENT WERE DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT DID NOT REVEAL THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE.

NTSB Probable Cause

A FIRE IN THE COCKPIT AREA FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

On Thursday, September 2, 1993, at 1000 eastern daylight time, N31858, a Piper PA-34-200T, owned by W M T Inc. of Williamson, West Virginia, and piloted by James Klepper of Abingdon, Virginia, was destroyed by fire at Williamson Mingo County Airport, Williamson, West Virginia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and the intended destination was Abingdon, Virginia. According to the pilot, just after takeoff, "I began smelling a hot smell. Within 30 seconds to 1 minute I started to see smoke in the cockpit. After going through and completing the emergency check list and turning off all electrical including master switch, I elected to return for a landing...I was able to taxi the aircraft off of the runway onto the taxiway...after exiting the aircraft I called the operator for assistance." The fire had spread throughout the airplane destroying it. An examination of the airplane after the accident did not reveal the source of the fire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportWilliamson Mingo Cty (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length3515 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN31858
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorW M T
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-E · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data