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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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April 17, 1987 · Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6 · N90518

Las Vegas, NV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N90518
Operator
Sierra Telephone
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
SEA87IA084

APRX 422 FLT HRS BFR THE FLT, THE SMITH AEROSTAR 601P WAS MODIFIED IAW MACHEN STC SA980NW. DRG LEVEL OFF AT 16,500' MSL,BLISTERING & DISCOLORATION WERE NOTED ON THE #1 ENG NACELLE. THE PLT SHUT DOWN & FEATHERED THE #1 ENG, THEN RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AFTER LNDG, AN EXAM REVEALED AN IN-FLT FIRE HAD OCCURRED, WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR DMG OF THE ENG ACCESSORY SECTION. TWO EXHAUST CLAMPS WERE FOUND LOOSE AT THE EXHAUST STACK WASTE GATE CONNECTION. HOT GASES FROM THE LOOSE CONNECTION HAD ESCAPED & IMPINGED ON THE TURBOCHARGER OIL SUPPLY HOSE (MACHEN PN CAA04S160). THE HOSE WAS WIRE REINFORCED & FIRE SLEEVED, BUT WAS LOCATED CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST STACK. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT IT HAD RUPTURED FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT. ESCAPING OIL FROM THE HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST STACK & TURBOCHARGER, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.

Full Narrative

APRX 422 FLT HRS BFR THE FLT, THE SMITH AEROSTAR 601P WAS MODIFIED IAW MACHEN STC SA980NW. DRG LEVEL OFF AT 16,500' MSL,BLISTERING & DISCOLORATION WERE NOTED ON THE #1 ENG NACELLE. THE PLT SHUT DOWN & FEATHERED THE #1 ENG, THEN RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AFTER LNDG, AN EXAM REVEALED AN IN-FLT FIRE HAD OCCURRED, WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR DMG OF THE ENG ACCESSORY SECTION. TWO EXHAUST CLAMPS WERE FOUND LOOSE AT THE EXHAUST STACK WASTE GATE CONNECTION. HOT GASES FROM THE LOOSE CONNECTION HAD ESCAPED & IMPINGED ON THE TURBOCHARGER OIL SUPPLY HOSE (MACHEN PN CAA04S160). THE HOSE WAS WIRE REINFORCED & FIRE SLEEVED, BUT WAS LOCATED CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST STACK. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT IT HAD RUPTURED FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT. ESCAPING OIL FROM THE HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST STACK & TURBOCHARGER, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time14:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSmith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN90518
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorSierra Telephone
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · L/TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 350
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 13 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data