# Accident 20160327006229A: Piper PA-28-180, West Mifflin, PA, March 27, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 27, 2016, 11:00 local time
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3544° N, 79.9292° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3544&lon=-79.9292&mi=10
- Aircraft: N16366, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16366-2018-10-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-180 (registry code 7102808, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,003 total, 800 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA16LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA154) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160327006229A

## Narrative

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

AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM AT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED ON THE UPPER WEST RAMP.  THE AIRMAN PLANNED A LOCAL FLIGHT AND HAD THE AIRCRAFT 'TOPPED OFF'.  THE AIRMAN ATTEMPTED TO START THE AIRCRAFT 4 TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS AND ON THE FIFTH, HE TRIED TO START USING THE FLOODED START PROCEDURE.  AS THE PROPELLER STARTED TO SPIN, WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COWLING.  THE AIRMAN REMOVED THE TOP COWLING AND THE FIRE WORSENED; TURNING TO THICK BLACK SMOKE.  THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE BEFORE THE FIRE COULD BE EXTINGUISHED.

## 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 ERA16LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA154), Mar 27, 2016: Piper PA28 (N16366), West Mifflin, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to follow checklist procedures for an engine fire during start.

## Other reports on N16366 (1)

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

- [Incident 19800904068659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800904068659I), Sep 4, 1980: Piper PA28181 (N16366), Fall River, MA, Minor damage. Pilot attempting takeoff from short runway, late to abort, off runway into bushes.

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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