# NTSB ATL91FA155: Piper PA-46-310P, N9094Z, Cartersville, GA, August 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1991, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Cartersville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.159515, -84.800476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1595&lon=-84.8005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA155

## Probable cause

THE MECHANIC'S IMPROPER REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL LINE B-NUT, AND THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE REPAIR WORK BY THE QUALITY ASSURANCE INSPECTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose
  - fuel system,line fitting - not secured
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, fbo personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE CLIMB TO CRUISE FLIGHT THE FUEL FLOW DECREASED, CYLINDER HEAD TEMPERATURE & OIL TEMPERATURE INCREASED, & AN ODOR OF OVERHEATING WAS DETECTED.  WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED, THE FUEL PUMP WAS ENGAGED & THE ENGINE QUIT.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PASTURE, WHERE THE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  EVIDENCE OF A FIRE WAS FOUND WHICH RESULTED FROM A LEAK AT THE MAIN FUEL LINE B-NUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE B-NUT HAD BEEN LOOSENED, & NOT REPLACED TIGHTLY, DURING REPLACEMENT OF THE STANDBY VACUUM PUMP.  THE QC INSPECTOR  WHO EXAMINED THE REPAIR DID NOT EXAMINE THE AREA SURROUNDING THE REPLACED STANDBY VACUUM PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9094Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9094Z-1995-09-07), registration cancelled 1995-09-07, S/N 4608022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4608022
- Airframe hours: 1633
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-52O-BE1B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Angel Marketing & Advertising
- Registered owner: Angel Marketing & Advertising
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1990, 379 hours before
- Departed: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA
- Destination: CHA, CHATANOOGA, TN
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE, 10 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 19910807032609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910807032609A), Aug 7, 1991: Piper PA46310P, Cartersville, GA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Throttle froze. Used idle cutoff. Smoke. Landed safe. Fuel line disconnected not reconnected.

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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