# NTSB ATL97LA078: Piper PA-31-350, N4105Q, Sparta, TN, May 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 1997, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Sparta, TN - Coordinates: 35.929992, -85.469207 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9300&lon=-85.4692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3852 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3852/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA078 ## Probable cause A fire in the left engine started by a leak in the fuel pump. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, cruise - normal - fuel system,pump - leak (cause) - miscellaneous,engine - fire ## Analysis The airplane experienced an in-flight fire in the left engine that was first noticed by the pilot upon touchdown in Sparta, Tennessee. The pilot and his five passengers safely evacuated the airplane, and then used a hand-held fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left engine, including a buckled firewall, melted fuel lines, and separated throttle and propeller cables. Further examination of the engine revealed that the fuel pump had a leak, possibly precipitated by faulty gasket material, which allowed the fuel to ignite when in contact with the heated engine. A Service Bulletin has been released by the pump manufacturer urging close inspection of the attaching screws. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 1997, around 1415 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N4105Q, experienced an in-flight fire in the left engine which was first noticed by the pilot upon touchdown into Sparta, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the pilot on a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions and an instrument flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and his five passengers were uninjured. The flight originated in Sarasota, Florida at 1215 eastern daylight time and was destined for Huntingburg, Indiana. During cruise, the pilot noted higher than normal fuel consumption on the left engine which prompted him to divert to Sparta. The pilot stated he made a normal landing. On the landing roll-out, he noticed the left engine compartment was on fire and stopped the airplane. He evacuated the airplane, and extinguished the fire using a hand-held fire extinguisher. Subsequently, an airworthiness inspector from the Nashville FSDO examined the airplane. He noted extensive damage, including melted fuel lines, throttle and propeller cables separated with concurrent evidence of heat damage, and a buckled firewall. Representatives from Textron Lycoming, the engine manufacturer, and Lear Romec, the fuel pump manufacturer, were involved in the subsequent examination of the engine. It was determined, after pressurizing the fuel pump, that there was a leak in the fuel pump precipitated by a possible problem with the gasket material. The screws around the gasket loosened, allowing the leak to start. This leak allowed fuel to have contact with the heated engine, and it provided the fuel for the in-flight fire. The fuel pump, part number RG9080J7A, was overhauled by D & G Fuel Supply in April. This overhaul shop was an approved facility which used the Lear Romec overhaul manual. Their last FAA audit was in March of 1997. There were no reports of problems with this facility. As per the overhaul manual, the torque on the fuel pump attaching screws was set, and then the pump was pressurized to 60 pounds per square inch (psi) to determine if there were any leaks. At this time, no leaks were noted. Currently, the fuel pump manufacturer, Lear Romec, has released a Service Bulletin, number 101SB020, which recommends inspections of the torque on the attaching screws every 50 hours or 6 months, whichever comes first. According to an engineer from Lear Romec, this measure is a safety precaution to prevent further in-flight fires while the company attempts to determine the reason the screws are loosening. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4105Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4105Q-2005-02-23), registration cancelled 2005-02-23, S/N 31-8252029, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 31-8252029 - Airframe hours: 3277 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-52BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brad Mulzer - Registered owner: Mulzer Crushed Stone - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1997, 30 hours before - Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL - Destination: HNB, HUNTINGBURG, IN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SRB, Upper Cumberland Regional, runway 4, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,353 total, 845 in this make and model, 2,184 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CSV, 20 nm away 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.