# NTSB ATL82FA229: Piper PA-32-260, N4076W, Raleigh, NC, August 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1982, 23:49 local (Aug 5, 1982, 03:49 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Coordinates: 35.820537, -78.649276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8205&lon=-78.6493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA229

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,stack - loose (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - undertorqued (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - fatigue (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly - fire (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT THE ENG LOST POWER & THE ACFTCOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A HEAVILY WOODED STATE PARK. THE #5 CYLINDER EXHAUST PIPE WAS FOUND SEPARATED & WAS NOT BURNED OR SOOTED. EXTENSIVE MELTING WAS EVIDENT AROUND THE INTAKE & EXHAUST PORTS ON THE #5 CYLINDER. THE HEAD OF THE #5 CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY BURNED THROUGH. THE ACFT HAD COMPLETED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 30 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GASKETS HAD BEEN REPLACED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION WITH A SCANNING ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS ON THE FAILED EXHAUST PIPE FLANGE WHILE DISTINCT NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS WERE OBSERVED ON TWO EXHAUST PIPES THAT REMAINED ATTACHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4076W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4076W-1984-05-01), registration cancelled 1984-05-01, S/N 32-40117, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3240117
- Airframe hours: 412
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Fast Eddie'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Fast Eddie'S Flying Service
- Departed: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Destination: C, RICHMOND, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh Durham Municipal, runway 14, 4,498 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,928 total, 510 in this make and model, 1,928 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 162 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820804069399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820804069399A), Aug 4, 1982: Piper PA32260, Raleigh, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft caught fire in engine compartment, engine then quit. Crash occurred during emergency landing.

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.

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