Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-161 near Sanford, FL — 2009-03-17

Final reportERA09LA201
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Date
2009-03-17
Location
Sanford, FL, USA
Airport
SFB
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-161
Registration
N613FT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

An engine air induction explosion for an undetermined reason during repeated engine start attempts.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was making a stop-and-go landing and used maximum wheel and aerodynamic braking to stop the airplane. After coming to a stop, both pilots realized that the engine had stopped running. After calling tower personnel and advising them of the situation, the instructor attempted to re-start the engine. Four total re-start attempts were made. After the fourth attempt, the pilots noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The instructor moved the mixture control to idle cut-off, and exited the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and reported fire damage to the engine and airframe, including firewall deformation. The inspector stated that the fire appeared to originate in the induction system air box. In addition, damage to the air box was consistent with a fuel-air explosion. During the course of the investigation the source of the original loss of power was not identified, nor was it definitively proven how the air box was damaged; however, flooding of the engine during repeated attempts to start the engine could have played a role in the accident. The operator's maintenance personnel reported that the airplane did not have a history of engine problems.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Not attempting a fourth restart and towing the airplane off the runway.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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