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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.

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February 3, 1990 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N21492

Provo, UT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Provo, UT
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N21492
Operator
Alpine Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN90LA054

DURING FLT, THE PLT NOTED A DROP IN MANIFOLD PRESSURE & DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE ON A BASE LEG TO LAND, HEAVY SMOKE & FUMES FILLED THE CABIN & REQUIRED THE PLT TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE VENT WINDOW TO COMPLETE THE LANDING. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED ON THE RUNWAY, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS EXTINGUISHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE (LYCOMING PART NO: LW-15811) HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED AT THE FLANGE. THE ENGINE CROSSOVER EXHAUST ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN MODIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AD 89-12-04 & TEXTRON LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN #484, WHICH WERE INTENDED TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF FAILURE/SEPARATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND FATIGUE FAILURE AND LEAKAGE OF THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS PROVIDED BY THE (FAA) AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE.

Full Narrative

DURING FLT, THE PLT NOTED A DROP IN MANIFOLD PRESSURE & DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE ON A BASE LEG TO LAND, HEAVY SMOKE & FUMES FILLED THE CABIN & REQUIRED THE PLT TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE VENT WINDOW TO COMPLETE THE LANDING. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED ON THE RUNWAY, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS EXTINGUISHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE (LYCOMING PART NO: LW-15811) HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED AT THE FLANGE. THE ENGINE CROSSOVER EXHAUST ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN MODIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AD 89-12-04 & TEXTRON LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN #484, WHICH WERE INTENDED TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF FAILURE/SEPARATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MST
Nearest AirportPROVO (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length7096 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN21492
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlpine Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data