# Accident 20200603007759A: Piper PA-32-260, Fargo, ND, June 3, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 3, 2020, 16:25 local time
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Airport: Hector International
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.9206° N, 96.8158° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9206&lon=-96.8158&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3869W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3869W-2022-11-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-260 (registry code 7103206, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN20LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA208) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200603007759A

## Narrative

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

PILOT AND STUDENT HAD JUST FINISHED A PRE-FLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT.  SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COWLING DURING THE START SEQUENCE. VISIBLE FLAMES WERE NOTICED FROM THE ENGINE COWLING IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE START-UP.  THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS EVACUATED.

THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL FIRE DAMAGE FROM THE WINDSCREEN TO THE PROPELLER.

EVIDENCE OF A LOCALIZED INTENSE FIRE WAS FOUND IN THE AREA OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP WHEN THE COWLING WAS REMOVED. THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP WAS PRESSURIZED AND FOUND TO BE LEAKING FUEL FROM THE PUMP BODY.  IT IS LIKELY THIS FUEL WAS IGNITED DURING THE START SEQUENCE.  FUEL PUMP FAILURE INCONCLUSIVE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FIRE DAMAGE TO THE FUEL PUMP AND SURROUNDING FUEL COMPONANTS.

## 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 CEN20LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA208), Jun 3, 2020: Piper PA32 (N3869W), Fargo, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the engine driven fuel pump which led to a fuel leak and subsequent fire in the engine compartment.

## Other reports on N3869W (1)

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

- [Accident 20000603014579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000603014579A), Jun 3, 2000: Piper PA32260 (N3869W), Clinton, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) When banking a/c in the base leg of short final to Clinton muni airport the engine quit. Pilot switched fuel tanks but the engine would not restart.…

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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