# NTSB ATL83FA174: Piper PA 32RT-300T, N22011, Murfreesboro, TN, May 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1983, 16:07 local (21:07 UTC)
- Place: Murfreesboro, TN
- Coordinates: 35.85049, -86.389053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8505&lon=-86.3891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD AFTER AN IN-FLT FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED WHILE THE ACFT WAS CRUISING. NO EMERGENCY CALLSWERE MADE AND THE ENGINE WHICH WAS THE FIRE SOURCE WAS NOT SHUT DOWN. A REAR SEAT PASSENGER SAID HE TRIED TO OPEN A REARDOOR TO LET OUT SMOKE BUT COULD NOT HOLD THE DOOR OPEN AND PASSED OUT BEFORE THE CRASH LANDING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE MANIFOLD WAS FOUND UNBOLTED WITH THE BOLTS MISSING. THIS MANIFOLD HAD BEEN REMOVED ON 2 WEEKS BEFORE DURING MAINTENANCE.NO TORQUE VALUE WAS SPECIFIED ON REPLACING THE MANIFOLD NUTS THE TORQUE VALUE IS 160-180 INCH POUNDS. THE RELEASE WAS NOT SIGNED OFF BY THE MECHANIC BUT BY THE DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N22011 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32RT-300T (PA 32RT-30)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887241
- Airframe hours: 736
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smyrna Avn
- Registered owner: William L. Hunter
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 26, 1983, 7 hours before
- Departed: MRC, COLUMBIA, TN
- Destination: MRQ, SMYRNA, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,780 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F
- Observed at: BNA, 30 nm away

## 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 19830502016569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830502016569A), May 2, 1983: Piper PA32RT300T, Murfreesboro, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Fire inflight due to exhaust manifold separation. Indicates pilot lost control due to intense smoke in cockpit.

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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