# NTSB ATL82IA121: Piper PA-31-350, N53RT, Enterprise, AL, April 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1982, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Enterprise, AL
- Coordinates: 31.320621, -85.839515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3206&lon=-85.8395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82IA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82IA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,stack - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - disconnected (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT FELT THE AIRCRAFT YAW LEFT AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE MANIFOLD PRESSURE HAD DROPPED FROM 42" HG TO 29" HG. HE ANALYSED A TURBOCHARGER FAILURE AND ELECTED TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE NORMALLYASPIRATED MODE. AT APPROXIMATELY 400' THE PILOT SAW SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. HE SECURED AND FEATHERED THE ENGINE AND MADE A SINGLE ENGINE LANDING. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE RIGHT SIDE COMMON EXHAUSTPIPE FROM THE #1,3 AND 5 CYLINDERS TO THE TURBO HAD SEPARATED. THIS SEPARATION ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO IMPINGE ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURN THROUGH THE COWL AND SEVERAL WIRES. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DETACHED PART HAD BEEN REPLACED 1.5 HOURS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A WRONG REPLACEMENT PART WAS USED WHICH WAS SHORTER THAN THE REQUIRED PART. INSTALLATION WAS POSSIBLE DUE TO OVERLAPPING EXHAUST TUBE SLIP JOINTS. POOR ORGANIZATIONAND NUMBERING OF PARTS CATALOGS WAS CITED BY THE MAINTENENCE FACILITY AS CONTRIBUTING TO THE INSTALLATION ERROR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N53RT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7952197
- Airframe hours: 1309
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J28D 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Huntsville Aviation
- Registered owner: Huntsville Aviation
- Departed: 93J, ENTERPRISE, AL
- Destination: 93J, ENTERPRISE, AL
- Airport: 93J, Enterprise Municipal, runway 5, 3,500 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 22,000 total, 1,825 in this make and model, 21,910 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Observed at: Y

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19820430037599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820430037599I), Apr 30, 1982: Piper PA31350, Enterprise, AL, Minor damage. Exhaust pipe came off turbocharger on takeoff, power loss, engine fire. Landed safe. Wrong exhaust pipe installed.

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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