# NTSB ATL89FA166: Piper PA-60-601P, N83AT, Lithia Springs, GA, June 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1989, 08:23 local (12:23 UTC)
- Place: Lithia Springs, GA
- Coordinates: 33.740829, -84.739608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7408&lon=-84.7396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 87-07-09](https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-07-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA166

## Probable cause

INFLIGHT ENGINE/WING FIRE DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE RIGHT ENGINE'S LEFT EXHAUST TAILPIPE. THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE FAILED IN FATIGUE AS A RESULT OF FLUCTUATING STRESSES INDUCED BY A DETERIORATED ENGINE MOUNT IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNEVENLY DISTRIBUTED CLAMPING LOADS CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY SEATED GASKET.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise
  - engine assembly,mount - deteriorated (cause)
  - engine assembly - vibration (cause)
  - exhaust system,gasket - other (cause)
  - maintenance,alignment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - fatigue (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - separation (cause)
  - engine compartment - fire
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - wing - fire
  - wing,spar - melted
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ELEVEN MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE THE PILOT REPORTED SMOKE AND A RIGHT ENGINE PROBLEM, THEN SAID 'GOING DOWN'. RIGHT WING AND ENGINE ASSEMBLIES SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. FIRE DAMAGE VICINITY OF RIGHT ENGINE LEFT TURBOCHARGER; TAILPIPE ASSEMBLY HAD SEPARATED. HEAVY SMOKE & HEAT DAMAGE BETWEEN RIGHT WING FORWARD & AFT WING SPARS. TAILPIPE HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE NEAR FLANGE WHERE ATTACHED TO TURBOCHARGER EXHAUST PORT. EVIDENCE OF NON-UNIFORMLY SEATED GASKET BETWEEN FLANGES. ALSO, RIGHT ENGINE LOWER LEFT ENGINE MOUNT DETERIORATED; SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF RUBBER MISSING. PIPER SB #818 (AD87-07-09) ACCOMPLISHED 5/21/88; REQUIRES REMOVAL & INSPECTION OF EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR CRACKS AND REINSTALLATION WITH NEW FLANGE GASKETS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83AT-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 61P-0296-074, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P0296074
- Airframe hours: 1454
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Star Transport Corp
- Registered owner: Aerostar Transport Inc.,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1988, 74 hours before
- Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 7 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 19890621016799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890621016799A), Jun 21, 1989: Piper PA60601P, Atlanta, GA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Undetected engine fire melted spar. Wing and engine separated. Turbo exhaust pipe came off. Engine mount fractured.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.