# Incident 20230127002679I: Piper PA-28-181, Leesburg, VA, January 27, 2023

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 27, 2023, 15:15 local time
- Place: Leesburg, VA
- Airport: Leesburg Executive
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.0780° N, 77.5575° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LEESBURG EXEC (JYO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0780&lon=-77.5575&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8373Y, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8373Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-181 (registry code 7102807, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (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-28-181
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230127002679I

## Narrative

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

DURING START FOR A 14CFR PART 61 TRAINING FLIGHT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, DAMAGE THE COWLING, AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE IS UNKNOWN BECAUSE NO ONE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT FOR 4 MONTHS.  AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN SITTING OUT ON A TIE DOWN.  PILOTS STATEMENT JUST SAID IT CAUGHT FIRE DURING START.

## Other reports on N8373Y (2)

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

- [Incident 20251017016089I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251017016089I), Oct 17, 2025: Piper PA-28-181 (N8373Y), Leesburg, VA, Minor damage. Pilot was conducting pattern operations as a solo student, with an emphasis on short-field landings. The weather was approximately 5-7KTS wind, primarily a…
- [Incident 19880614028779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880614028779I), Jun 14, 1988: Piper PA28181 (N8373Y), Baltimore, MD, Minor damage. Pilot lost directional control on rollout. Veered off end of runway striking end light. Brakes checked out normally

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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