# Incident 20070711020629I: Piper PA31350, Orlando, FL, July 11, 2007

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 11, 2007, 16:10 local time
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: BP5A
- Location: 28.3667° N, 81.0833° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3667&lon=-81.0833&mi=10
- Aircraft: N105GC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105GC-2008-09-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-31-350 (registry code 7103110, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31350
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 13,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC07IA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07IA164) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070711020629I

## Narrative

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

(-23) N105GC WAS RELEASED FOR FLIGHT ON 07/11/07. MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON 07/10/07 REQUIRING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF BOTH ENGINE COWLS FOR ROUTINE INTERVAL INSPECTIONS. DURING THE ENROUTE PORTION OF A PART 91 LEG TO PICK UP PASSENGERS THE PILOT PIC ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ EXPERIENCED A COWLING ON THE RIGHT ENGINE NACELLE BLOW OPEN AND DAMAGE THE CO-PILOT WINDOW. THE SUBSEQUENT DRAG PRODUCED BY THE REMAINING COWLING PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM SUSTAINING CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND ALTITUDE. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ EXECUTED A FORCED EMERGENCY LANDING WITHOUT INJURY TO HIMSELF. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED AFTER THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ EXITED THE AIRCRAFT BY A POST CRASH FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY HOT EXHAUST STACKS MAKING CONTACT WITH DRY BRUSH. IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND CONFUSING LATCH POSITION OF THE COWLING LATCHES WERE CAUSAL TO THE INCIDENT.

## 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 NYC07IA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07IA164), Jul 11, 2007: Piper PA-31-350 (N105GC), Orlando, FL, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The mechanic's failure to secure the right engine cowling fasteners. Contributing to the incident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

## Other reports on N105GC (1)

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

- [Incident 19810917066489I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810917066489I), Sep 17, 1981: Piper PA31350 (N105GC), Monroe, LA, Minor damage. Landing gear not operating properly. Indicated unsafe. Landed with nose gear partly extended. Hydraulic filter broke

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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