# NTSB ATL88LA031: Cessna 401A, N6250Q, Mobile, AL, November 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1987, 17:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Mobile, AL
- Location: 30.6944° N, 88.0431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mobile, AL, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6944&lon=-88.0431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 75-23-08 R5](https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-23-08-R5) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - 1 engine
  - exhaust system,wastegate - separation (cause)
- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system - leak (cause)
  - remedial action - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT RELATED THAT HE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 4,300 FT WHEN HE LOST THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER. HE THEN NOTED SPARKS AND THEN FIRE FROM THE ENGINE. HE SHUT OFF THE FUEL, WAITED FOR THE FIRE TO GO OUT AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLER. THE FLT WAS CONTINUED TO MONTGOMERY, AL WHERE THE ACFT WAS BASED AND A NO FLAP LANDING WAS EXECUTED. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE COUPLING FROM THE EXHAUST TO THE WASTE GATE HAD FAILED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COWLING. ACFT DAMAGE INCLUDED ENGINE MOUNT BEAMS AND THE WING SPAR THROUGH THE ENGINE NACELLE. AD 75-23-08 R5 DOES NOT APPLY TO THE FRACTURED COMPONENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6250Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6250Q-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 401A0050, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401A
- Registry model: [Cessna 401A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401a) (registry code 207590D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-A-0050
- Airframe hours: 4730
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Montgomery Air Service
- Registered owner: C. O. Williams, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1987, 98 hours before
- Departed: BFM, MOBILE, AL
- Destination: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 26,922 total, 13 in this make and model, 26,922 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM

## 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 19871106069289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871106069289A), Nov 6, 1987: Cessna 401A, Mobile, AL, Substantial damage. Left engine exhaust header failed and caused an inflight fire. Engine shut down. Metal fatigue in header assembly.

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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