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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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July 29, 1985 · Piper PA-28-151 · N32741

Lawrence, MA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Lawrence, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N32741
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85LA199

AFTER REFUELING THE ACFT, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG WITH THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN AND THE MIXTURE AT IDLE CUT OFF. THE INSTRUCTOR THOUGHT THE ENG WAS VAPOR LOCKED AND WAS GOING TO DRAIN THE GASCOLATOR WHEN HE NOTICED A FIRE IN THE CARBURETOR AIRBOX. THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BY CRANKING THE ENG WITH THE FUEL OFF. A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS THEN USED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD BUT WAS NOT EXTINGUISHED DUE TO THE LOCATION. WHEN THE EXTINGUISHER WAS EXHAUSTED, THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE ACFT INTERIOR. THE NORTH ANDOVER FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. LAWRENCE MUNICIPAL ARPT DID NOT HAVE FIRE QUIPMENT AVAILABLE.

Full Narrative

AFTER REFUELING THE ACFT, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG WITH THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN AND THE MIXTURE AT IDLE CUT OFF. THE INSTRUCTOR THOUGHT THE ENG WAS VAPOR LOCKED AND WAS GOING TO DRAIN THE GASCOLATOR WHEN HE NOTICED A FIRE IN THE CARBURETOR AIRBOX. THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BY CRANKING THE ENG WITH THE FUEL OFF. A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS THEN USED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD BUT WAS NOT EXTINGUISHED DUE TO THE LOCATION. WHEN THE EXTINGUISHER WAS EXHAUSTED, THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE ACFT INTERIOR. THE NORTH ANDOVER FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. LAWRENCE MUNICIPAL ARPT DID NOT HAVE FIRE QUIPMENT AVAILABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:50 EDT
Nearest AirportLawrence Muni. (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN32741
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:11
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data