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March 20, 2019 · Piper PA28 140 · N2667Q

Savannah, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Savannah, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA28 140 (1977)
Tail Number
N2667Q
Operator
Bw Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA176

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, wind pushed the airplane to the right and that he overcompensated with left rudder. The airplane veered left, abruptly rotated about 180°, and then stopped on the runway at a taxiway intersection. The tower controller asked the pilot if he could restart the engine or if he needed a tow. The pilot attempted to restart the engine four to five times. While attempting a "hot start," he saw black smoke coming from the lower left engine cowling. He leaned forward and saw flames in the same location. The pilot searched for a fire extinguisher to no avail. He egressed the airplane without further incident. The pilot added that, during the multiple restarts, he engaged the starter for 5 to 8 seconds and estimated that the time between attempts was about 5 seconds. He attempted a hot start for the first couple of attempts. After he observed the engine fire, he attempted a flooded start. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The director of maintenance reported that the fire extinguisher was located in the seat pocket behind the copilot's seat. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 10. The Pilot's Operating Handbook, Section 3.7, "Engine Fire During Start," stated the following: Engine fires during start are usually the result of overpriming. Section 4.13, "Starting Engine," stated the following: Starter manufacturers recommend that cranking periods be limited to thirty sections with a two minute rest between cranking periods. Longer cranking periods will shorten the life of the starter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to conduct the engine starting procedures in accordance with the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, which resulted in an engine fire.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the wind pushed the airplane to the right and he overcompensated with left rudder. The airplane veered to the left, abruptly rotated about 180°, and the engine and airplane stopped on the runway at a taxiway intersection. The tower controller asked if the pilot could restart the engine or if he needed a tow. The pilot attempted to restart the engine 4 to 5 times. While attempting a "hot start", he observed black smoke from the lower left engine cowling. He leaned forward and saw flames in the same location. The pilot searched for a fire extinguisher, to no avail. He egressed the airplane without further incident. The pilot added that, during the multiple restarts, he engaged the starter for 5 to 8 seconds and estimated that the time between attempts was about 5 seconds. He attempted a hot start for the first couple of attempts, then after he observed the engine fire, he attempted a flooded start. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The director of maintenance reported that the fire extinguisher was located in the seat pocket behind the copilot's seat. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 10. The pilot's operating handbook contained section 3.7 titled, "Engine Fire During Start", which stated: Engine fires during start are usually the result of overpriming. It continued in section 4.13 titled, "Starting Engine", which stated: Starter manufacturers recommend that cranking periods be limited to thirty sections with a two minute rest between cranking periods. Longer cranking periods will shorten the life of the starter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSavannah/Hilton Head Intl (0nm ENE)
Runway10
Runway Length9351 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 140
Tail NumberN2667Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBw Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data