# NTSB BFO92LA028: Piper PA-46, N9103Q, Baltimore, MD, January 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1992, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Coordinates: 39.32978, -76.430946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3298&lon=-76.4309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA028

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL LINE, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK CAUSING AN ENGINE FIRE AND TOTAL POWER LOSS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - failure,partial (cause)
  - fuel system,line - leak
  - engine assembly - fire
  - electrical system - burned
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - disabled

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM RUNWAY 14 ON MARTIN STATE AIRPORT, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE EXPERIENCED TOTAL POWER LOSS AND A FIRE. THE PILOT SAID HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND MADE AN APPROXIMATE 280 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED, BUT DUE TO THE FIRE, THE NOSE GEAR WAS DISABLE AND DID NOT EXTEND. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON RUNWAY 32. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE'S VAPOR RETURN LINE. DUE TO THE SEVERE FIRE DAMAGE INCURRED BY THE FUEL LINE, A FAILURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9103Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9103Q-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 4608027, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46
- Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 273712R
- Airframe hours: 864
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BE1 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Allen Smith
- Registered owner: Allen Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1992, 3 hours before
- Destination: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Martin State, runway 14

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport, 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: 5,300 total, 550 in this make and model, 3,600 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920130001439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920130001439A), Jan 30, 1992: Piper PA46310P, Baltimore, MD, Substantial damage. Engine fire on takeoff turned around landed. Fire put out. Leak found in vapor fuel return line.

## Other investigations on N9103Q (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI02LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA099), Mar 31, 2002: Piper PA-46-310P (N9103Q), South St. Paul, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to an electrical short of the P-lead, and loose fuel line connection as a result of improper maintenance.

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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