Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28-235 near Winneconne, WI — 2015-10-24

Final reportCEN16LA021
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Date
2015-10-24
Location
Winneconne, WI, USA
Airport
9WN1
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28-235
Registration
N3979X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

An engine compartment fire during landing, which resulted in extensive fire damage, for reasons that could not be determined during examinations of the remaining wreckage.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting a cross-country flight. He reported that he could tell something was wrong as he started the descent for landing. He added that the engine was running "rough" and that it "quit" as the airplane touched down. He then observed black smoke and fire exiting out of the cowling. An examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane sustained discoloration, deformation, and extensive thermal damage to the right side of the fuselage forward of the empennage, the cockpit, and the engine cowling. The fuel line going to the carburetor was separated. A detailed examination of the fuel line revealed that it had separated due to bending overstress with evidence of exposure to high temperature. However, the on-scene and detailed examinations could not determine the source of the ignition.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing when engine started running rough.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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