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November 6, 1988 · Piper PA-28-235 · N9246W

Leon, IA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Leon, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N9246W
Operator
Miller Loring
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA020

WHILE CRUISING ABOUT 3000 FEET AGL DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE HAD A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LDG WAS MADE ON A FARM HAY FIELD WITH NO DAMAGE INCURRED. SHORTLY AFTER THE LDG, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE HAD ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ATTEMPTS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE BEFORE THE LOCAL FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BURNED-THROUGH AREA ON THE EXHAUST MUFFLER NEAR THE CARBURETOR. THE HEAT FROM THE BURNED-THROUGH AREA WAS DIRECTED ON THE CARBURETOR CAUSING FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FIRE.

Full Narrative

WHILE CRUISING ABOUT 3000 FEET AGL DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE HAD A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LDG WAS MADE ON A FARM HAY FIELD WITH NO DAMAGE INCURRED. SHORTLY AFTER THE LDG, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE HAD ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ATTEMPTS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE BEFORE THE LOCAL FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BURNED-THROUGH AREA ON THE EXHAUST MUFFLER NEAR THE CARBURETOR. THE HEAT FROM THE BURNED-THROUGH AREA WAS DIRECTED ON THE CARBURETOR CAUSING FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FIRE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN9246W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMiller Loring
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 16 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:51

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Appendix: Source Data