# NTSB BFO85LA038: Piper PA 22-150, N5738D, New London, VA, April 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1985, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: New London, VA
- Coordinates: 37.369743, -79.269317 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3697&lon=-79.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb
  - electrical system,electric wiring - chafed (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fire
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - fuselage,floor - fire
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - object - fence

## Analysis

WHILE EXITING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AFTER TKOF THE PLT SMELLED SMOKE AND OBSERVED FLAMES NEAR THE LEFT RUDDER PEDAL. AFTER FAILING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH HIS SHOES THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AND SUBSEQUENTLY LNDD USING SIDE WINDOW TO LOOK OUT OF DUE TO SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. DURING LNDG THE PLT WAS FORCED TO REMOVE HIS FEET FM THE RUDDER PEDALS DUE TO FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE HAND BRAKE BUT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A DITCH AND FENCE. EXAM REVEALED THE BAT CABLE FD SEPARATED AND SHOWED SIGNS OF INTENSE HEAT AT A PT ABT 4 INCHES FM THE STARTER SWITCH. THE SEP PT WAS LOCATED BENEATH THE PLTS SEAT WHERE THE CABLE PASSED THRU A RUBBER GROMMET IN A METAL BOX HOUSING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5738D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 22-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4438
- Airframe hours: 56525
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rucker Tibbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 19, 1984, 54 hours before
- Departed: W90, NEW LONDON, VA
- Destination: W90, NEW LONDON, VA
- Airport: W90, New London, runway 34, 3,164 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,200 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 2,220 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F

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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