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NTSB Report
August 12, 1987 · Piper PA-32R · N8159S
Mexia, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mexia, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R
Tail Number
N8159S
Operator
Houston Charter Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87FA197
THE PLT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT & STARTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG AT MEXIA, TX, WHICH WAS NEARBY. HOWEVER, DRG THE DSCNT TO LND, THE SMOKE DISSIPATED, SO HE ELECTED TO CONT TO THE DESTN. DRG THE CLIMB BACK TO ALT, SMOKE REAPPEARED & WAS FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE PLT THEN TRIED TO MAKE A FORCED LNDG AT MEXIA; HOWEVER, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO REACH THE ARPT. WHILE LNDG ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE ARPT, THE ACFT ROLLED THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED A RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING FROM A CLAMP NEAR 2 MATING SURFACES OF THE EXHAUSTSYS NEAR THE #6 CYLINDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, GASES FROM THE EXHAUST SYS BURNED THRU A VACUUM HOSE & EXTENSIVELY BURNED A NUMBER OF WIRES IN THE IGNITION SYS. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 176 HRS SINCE THE LAST ENG & AIRFRAME INSPN.
Full Narrative
THE PLT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT & STARTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG AT MEXIA, TX, WHICH WAS NEARBY. HOWEVER, DRG THE DSCNT TO LND, THE SMOKE DISSIPATED, SO HE ELECTED TO CONT TO THE DESTN. DRG THE CLIMB BACK TO ALT, SMOKE REAPPEARED & WAS FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE PLT THEN TRIED TO MAKE A FORCED LNDG AT MEXIA; HOWEVER, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO REACH THE ARPT. WHILE LNDG ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE ARPT, THE ACFT ROLLED THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED A RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING FROM A CLAMP NEAR 2 MATING SURFACES OF THE EXHAUSTSYS NEAR THE #6 CYLINDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, GASES FROM THE EXHAUST SYS BURNED THRU A VACUUM HOSE & EXTENSIVELY BURNED A NUMBER OF WIRES IN THE IGNITION SYS. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 176 HRS SINCE THE LAST ENG & AIRFRAME INSPN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32R
Tail NumberN8159S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHouston Charter Service
Operating RulePart 135
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 22 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC