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NTSB Report
January 20, 1984 · Piper PA-31-350 · N35479
Redding, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 20, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Redding, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N35479
Operator
Afs Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX84IA147
WHILE TAXIING TO TAKEOFF, SMOKE WAS NOTED IN THE COCKPIT AREA, SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT ACTIVATED THE HEATER IGNITION SWITCH. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY STOPPED & SECURED THE ACFT & ASSISTED THE PASSENGERS IN DEPLANING. AN EXAM OF THE JANITROL HEATER, MODEL B4050, REVEALED THE AFT SECTION OF THE TUBE ASSEMBLY HAD CRACKED; THE INNER TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED & A B-NUT WAS 'FINGER TIGHT.' ALSO, THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGE IN THE NOSE SECTION OF THE ACFT, NEAR THE HEATER. THE DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE SAID THAT AD-82-07-03, INSPECTION OF THE HEATER TUBE ASSEMBLY, WAS COMPLIED WITH ON 11/14/83.
Full Narrative
WHILE TAXIING TO TAKEOFF, SMOKE WAS NOTED IN THE COCKPIT AREA, SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT ACTIVATED THE HEATER IGNITION SWITCH. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY STOPPED & SECURED THE ACFT & ASSISTED THE PASSENGERS IN DEPLANING. AN EXAM OF THE JANITROL HEATER, MODEL B4050, REVEALED THE AFT SECTION OF THE TUBE ASSEMBLY HAD CRACKED; THE INNER TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED & A B-NUT WAS 'FINGER TIGHT.' ALSO, THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGE IN THE NOSE SECTION OF THE ACFT, NEAR THE HEATER. THE DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE SAID THAT AD-82-07-03, INSPECTION OF THE HEATER TUBE ASSEMBLY, WAS COMPLIED WITH ON 11/14/83.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time06:43 PST
Nearest AirportRedding Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN35479
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAfs Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2BD · Reciprocating · 350
Seats10
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:45
Weather SourceWFAC