# NTSB ATL92LA089: Beech 23A-19, N7973L, Orangeburg, SC, April 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1992, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Orangeburg, SC
- Coordinates: 33.489025, -80.859718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4890&lon=-80.8597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA089

## Probable cause

THE DETERIORATION OF THE EXHAUST MUFFLER WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise
  - exhaust system,muffler - deteriorated (cause)
- Fire, standing

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHERE HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT TAXIED THE AIRPLANE INTO A GRASSY AREA WHERE IT BURNED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD DETERIORATED AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRFRAME TACHOMETER, THEREFORE THE AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME AND TIME SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WERE NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7973L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7973L-1992-08-13), registration cancelled 1992-08-13, S/N MB154 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23A-19
- Registry model: [Beech A23-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-19) (registry code 1151212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB-154
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walker And Associates
- Registered owner: Walker And Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1991
- Destination: SSI, BRUNSWICK, GA
- Airport: OGB, Orangeburg Municipal Airp, runway 22, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,813 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,691 as pilot in command, 222 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 45,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 15 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 19920425011139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920425011139A), Apr 25, 1992: Beech A2319, Orangeburg, SC, Destroyed. Smoke in cockpit on takeoff. Returned and burned on landing. Large hole found in muffler. Caused by deterioration.

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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