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NTSB Report
August 5, 1982 · Piper PA-32-260 · N4076W
Raleigh, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Raleigh, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-260
Tail Number
N4076W
Operator
Fast Eddie S Flying Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FA229
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT THE ENG LOST POWER & THE ACFTCOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A HEAVILY WOODED STATE PARK. THE #5 CYLINDER EXHAUST PIPE WAS FOUND SEPARATED & WAS NOT BURNED OR SOOTED. EXTENSIVE MELTING WAS EVIDENT AROUND THE INTAKE & EXHAUST PORTS ON THE #5 CYLINDER. THE HEAD OF THE #5 CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY BURNED THROUGH. THE ACFT HAD COMPLETED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 30 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GASKETS HAD BEEN REPLACED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION WITH A SCANNING ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS ON THE FAILED EXHAUST PIPE FLANGE WHILE DISTINCT NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS WERE OBSERVED ON TWO EXHAUST PIPES THAT REMAINED ATTACHED.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT THE ENG LOST POWER & THE ACFTCOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A HEAVILY WOODED STATE PARK. THE #5 CYLINDER EXHAUST PIPE WAS FOUND SEPARATED & WAS NOT BURNED OR SOOTED. EXTENSIVE MELTING WAS EVIDENT AROUND THE INTAKE & EXHAUST PORTS ON THE #5 CYLINDER. THE HEAD OF THE #5 CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY BURNED THROUGH. THE ACFT HAD COMPLETED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 30 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GASKETS HAD BEEN REPLACED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION WITH A SCANNING ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS ON THE FAILED EXHAUST PIPE FLANGE WHILE DISTINCT NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS WERE OBSERVED ON TWO EXHAUST PIPES THAT REMAINED ATTACHED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:49 EDT
Nearest AirportRaleigh Durham Municipal (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length4498 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionBoth
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-260
Tail NumberN4076W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFast Eddie S Flying Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind140° @ 4 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg