Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28 near Hillsboro, OH — 2008-05-30

Final reportCHI08FA146
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Date
2008-05-30
Location
Hillsboro, OH, USA
Airport
HOC
Aircraft
PIPER PA28
Registration
N9376W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an in-flight fire as a result of a corrosion hole in the muffler that was not identified by the mechanic. Contributing to the accident was the improper emergency procedure performed for an in-flight fire.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the improper emergency procedure performed for an in-flight fire.

NTSB narrative

The airplane had undergone five previous annual inspections performed by a mechanic where the airplane was based. The airplane departed its base airport to Hillsboro, Ohio, where the airplane's autopilot was worked on by an avionics repair station. After the repair had been done, both pilots departed Hillsboro, but returned after noticing smoke in the cockpit. A check of the cockpit and autopilot by an avionics technician did not reveal any discrepancies associated with those areas. The airplane then again departed Hillsboro. Witnesses reported that after takeoff there was smoke observed coming from the front of the airplane. The witnesses then saw the airplane bank left, descend, strike a tree with its left wing, and then impact in a fallow corn field about 1/2 mile south of the airport. An examination of the airplane's fuel selector showed that it was still in the "on" position. The flaps were in the fully retracted position, which was not consistent with the airplane manufacturer's fire and emergency landing procedures. An examination of the airplane revealed a hole in the muffler, which also exhibited a loss of material due to internal corrosion. The severity of the corrosion also suggests that the hole in the muffler should have been evident at earlier annual inspections.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Return to HOC after smoke reported in cockpit could have prevented takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents49

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