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April 10, 1986 · Piper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301 · N8178N
Perry, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Perry, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301
Tail Number
N8178N
Operator
Hawkeye Eagle Trailers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA084
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PIC NOTICED A LOSS OF ENGINE PWR AND FLAMES ERUPTING FROM THE ENGINE COWLING. THE PIC EXECUTED A TURN BACK TO THE ARPT AS THICK BLACK SMOKE FILLED THE COCKPIT. THE PIC OPENED THE SIDE VENT WINDOW TO MAINTAIN SIGHT OF THE GROUND AND LANDED THE ACFT IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PIC EXITED THE ACFT AND USED AND HAND HELD EXTINGUISHER TO COMBAT THE FLAMES BELCHING FM THE ENGINE COWLING. THE ENSUING FIRE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE ACFT. INSPECTION OF THE FIRE AREA REVEALED AN EXHAUST V-CLAMP LOOSE AND A DISTORTED GASKET AT THE EXHAUST JOINTS. THIS ALLOWED BLOW-BY OF THE HOT EXHAUST GASES WHICH MELTED THE FUEL BOOST PUMP CONNECTION SPEWING RAW FUEL INTO THE HOT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD BEEN REMOVED TO REWORK A CYLINDER AND RE-INSTALLED 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS FLT. THE GASKET WAS DISTORTED DURING THE RE-ASSEMBLY OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PIC NOTICED A LOSS OF ENGINE PWR AND FLAMES ERUPTING FROM THE ENGINE COWLING. THE PIC EXECUTED A TURN BACK TO THE ARPT AS THICK BLACK SMOKE FILLED THE COCKPIT. THE PIC OPENED THE SIDE VENT WINDOW TO MAINTAIN SIGHT OF THE GROUND AND LANDED THE ACFT IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PIC EXITED THE ACFT AND USED AND HAND HELD EXTINGUISHER TO COMBAT THE FLAMES BELCHING FM THE ENGINE COWLING. THE ENSUING FIRE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE ACFT. INSPECTION OF THE FIRE AREA REVEALED AN EXHAUST V-CLAMP LOOSE AND A DISTORTED GASKET AT THE EXHAUST JOINTS. THIS ALLOWED BLOW-BY OF THE HOT EXHAUST GASES WHICH MELTED THE FUEL BOOST PUMP CONNECTION SPEWING RAW FUEL INTO THE HOT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD BEEN REMOVED TO REWORK A CYLINDER AND RE-INSTALLED 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS FLT. THE GASKET WAS DISTORTED DURING THE RE-ASSEMBLY OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32R-301T PA-32R-301
Tail NumberN8178N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHawkeye Eagle Trailers
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 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 3 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC