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NTSB Report
October 13, 1987 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N39922
Lincoln, NE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 1987
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Lincoln, NE
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N39922
Operator
Lange Partnership
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC88FA005
DURING CLIMBOUT, SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE CABIN AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG STOPPED. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENG COMPARTMENT JUST BEFORE THE ACFT IMPACTED A LARGE WOODPILE BEHIND A HOUSE LOCATED 1/2 MILE EAST OF THE ARPT. EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE (90 DEGREE ELBOW) HAD SEPARATED FROM THE EXHAUST CROSSOVER TUBE LEADING TO THE TURBOCHARGER AND ALLOWED INTENSE, HOT EXHAUST GASES FLOWING FROM THE ELBOW TO SPEW DIRECTLY INTO THE ENG COMPARTMENT. THE FLANGE AT THE OTHER END OF THE ELBOW WAS CRACKED AND EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE GASKET, AS WELL AS THE FLANGES, HAD BEEN MISALLIGNED. A REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
DURING CLIMBOUT, SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE CABIN AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG STOPPED. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENG COMPARTMENT JUST BEFORE THE ACFT IMPACTED A LARGE WOODPILE BEHIND A HOUSE LOCATED 1/2 MILE EAST OF THE ARPT. EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE (90 DEGREE ELBOW) HAD SEPARATED FROM THE EXHAUST CROSSOVER TUBE LEADING TO THE TURBOCHARGER AND ALLOWED INTENSE, HOT EXHAUST GASES FLOWING FROM THE ELBOW TO SPEW DIRECTLY INTO THE ENG COMPARTMENT. THE FLANGE AT THE OTHER END OF THE ELBOW WAS CRACKED AND EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE GASKET, AS WELL AS THE FLANGES, HAD BEEN MISALLIGNED. A REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN39922
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLange Partnership
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 14 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:40
Weather SourceWFAC