# NTSB ATL82IA159: Piper PA-31-325, N59749, Asheboro, NC, June 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1982, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Asheboro, NC
- Coordinates: 35.709873, -79.810897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7099&lon=-79.8109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82IA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82IA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - flt control syst,wing flap control - shorted (cause)
  - equipment,other - inadvertent use, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,wing flap control - fire (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE AT 5000 FT THE PILOT SMELLED ELECTRICAL FUMES AND NOTICED SMOKE FILLING THE FLAP INDICATOR GAUGE. HE PULLED THE WING FLAP CIRCUIT BREAKER BUT MOMENTS LATER VOLUMES OF SMOKE AROSE FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WITH FLAMES OBSERVED BEHIND THE PANEL. THE PILOT DIVERTED TO ASHEBORO AFTER HIS DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER PROVED INEFFECTIVE IN FIGHTING THE FIRE. THE FLAMES DIED OUT AFTER LANDING. FIRE DAMAGE WAS CONTAINED TO THE FLAP INDICATOR BUT HEAT DAMAGE PRECLUDED A DETERMINATION OF THE REASON FOR AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE FLAP INDICATOR HAD BEEN MODIFIED 216 HRS PREVIOUSLY BUT THE MOD DID NOT INVOLVE THE WIRING. THE FLAP INDICATOR IS PROTECTED BY THE STARTER CIRCUIT BREAKER. THIS INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN THE WIRING DIAGRAMS BUT NOT IN THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FLAP OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N59749 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7612017
- Airframe hours: 1883
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Clarence Roberts/Roberts Avia.
- Registered owner: National Estates, Inc.
- Departed: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: ROCKY MOUNT, NC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,200 total, 150 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 171 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 26 nm away

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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