# Accident 20031211035529A: Piper PA23250, Buffalo, NY, December 11, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 11, 2003, 22:15 local time
- Place: Buffalo, NY
- Airport: Greater Buffalo International
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground Taxi, Other Airplane
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: NAHA
- Location: 42.9403° N, 78.7319° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9403&lon=-78.7319&mi=10
- Aircraft: N40259, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40259-2014-01-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-23-250 (registry code 7102308, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA23250
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,800 total, 500 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC04LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA047) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031211035529A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON DECEMBER 11, 2003 AT 2205 EST, A PIPER PA-23-250, N40259, REGISTERED TO NORTHEAST AVIATION INC. AIR OPERATOR NAHA CAUGHT FIRE AFTER LANDING AT BUFFALO NIAGARA INTL' AIRPORT AND WHILE TAXIING TO THE RAMP. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AN AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FIRE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE AIRCRAFT BUT THE PILOT SUFFERED ONLY A SLIGHT SMOKE INHALATION INJURY WHILE FIGHTING THE FIRE. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT MORRISTOWN NJ ON DECEMBER 11, 2003 AT 1930 EST.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC04LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA047), Dec 12, 2003: Piper PA-23-250 (N40259), Buffalo, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper procedure with regard to the cabin heater, which resulted in the over temperature of the heater and subsequent fire.

## Other reports on N40259 (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19910703025839I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910703025839I), Jul 3, 1991: Piper PA23250 (N40259), Green Bay, WI, Minor damage. Nose gear collapsed on landing rollout. Hydraulic fluid leaking from the hydraulic pump assembly.
- [Incident 19900410022679I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900410022679I), Apr 10, 1990: Piper PA23250 (N40259), Bangor, ME, Minor damage. Fire in right engine on climb. Returned. Fire out before landing. Exhaust pipe had split.
- [Incident 19900306007109I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900306007109I), Mar 6, 1990: Piper PA23250 (N40259), Portland, ME. Right engine throttle stuck on approach. Shut engine down. Found cable was frozen. Freed up and lubed same.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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