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July 20, 1988 · Piper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301 · N8069S

Chicago, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301
Tail Number
N8069S
Operator
Smith Loren E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88LA170

DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FIRE AND DIVERTED TO CHICAGO'S MIDWAY AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT EXECUTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, THE FUEL SUPPLY, AND ALL ELECTRICAL LOAD. WHEN THE PILOT KNEW HE HAD THE RUNWAY MADE, HE SELECTED THE GEAR DOWN POSITION WITH THE GEAR HANDLE, BUT ELECTED NOT TO VERIFY GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE GEAR FAILED TO EXTEND; A GEAR UP LANDING ENSUED. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WOULD DROP WHEN THE GEAR HANDLE WAS ACTIVATED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT REVEALED THAT THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A LOOSE LINE FITTING ON A FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLE WHICH ALLOWED RAW FUEL TO SPRAY INTO THE COMPARTMENT; SPECIFICALLY, ONTO THE TURBO-CHARGER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS JACKED UP AND REMOVED FROM THE RUNWAY BEFORE AN INVESTIGATOR ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.

Full Narrative

DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FIRE AND DIVERTED TO CHICAGO'S MIDWAY AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT EXECUTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, THE FUEL SUPPLY, AND ALL ELECTRICAL LOAD. WHEN THE PILOT KNEW HE HAD THE RUNWAY MADE, HE SELECTED THE GEAR DOWN POSITION WITH THE GEAR HANDLE, BUT ELECTED NOT TO VERIFY GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE GEAR FAILED TO EXTEND; A GEAR UP LANDING ENSUED. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WOULD DROP WHEN THE GEAR HANDLE WAS ACTIVATED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT REVEALED THAT THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A LOOSE LINE FITTING ON A FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLE WHICH ALLOWED RAW FUEL TO SPRAY INTO THE COMPARTMENT; SPECIFICALLY, ONTO THE TURBO-CHARGER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS JACKED UP AND REMOVED FROM THE RUNWAY BEFORE AN INVESTIGATOR ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:25 CDT
Nearest AirportMIDWAY (0nm N)
Runway31R
Runway Length5078 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301
Tail NumberN8069S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSmith Loren E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind360° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data