# NTSB CEN10CA111: Piper PA-32R-301T, N3565B, Reserve, NM, February 1, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 1, 2010, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Reserve, NM
- Coordinates: 33.694168, -108.849441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6942&lon=-108.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75332/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75332
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA111

## Probable cause

An in-flight fire due to a fuel leak from the No. 5 cylinder's broken fuel injector/line.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine fuel and control: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During takeoff the pilot heard a "pop" noise followed by smoke in the cockpit. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff roll and return to the airport; during the downwind leg, the smoke became severe. The pilot was able to land the airplane safely. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine, cowling, and firewall sustained fire damage. Additionally the inspection revealed that a fuel injector/line on the No. 5 cylinder was broken and had sprayed fuel onto the engine's turbocharger.

## Factual narrative

During takeoff, the pilot heard a "pop" noise followed by smoke in the cockpit. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff roll and return to the airport; during the downwind leg, the smoke became severe. The pilot was able to land the airplane safely. Examination of the airplane revealed the engine, cowling, and firewall sustained fire damage. Additionally, the inspection revealed that a fuel injector/line on the number 5 cylinder was broken, and sprayed fuel onto the engine's turbocharger.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3565B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8029027
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Zia Consulting Inc
- Registered owner: Zia Consulting Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T16, Reserve, NM
- Destination: PHD, New Philadelphi, OH
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: T16, Reserve Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 28,500 total, 29 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20100201026609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100201026609A), Feb 1, 2010: Piper PA-32R-301T, Reserve, NM, Substantial damage. Engine began to run rough after lift-off. During departure climb, pilot observed smoke in cabin and elected to return to T16. Toxic smoke filled cabin and…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75332. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327083&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo: N3565B engine cowling (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327084&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20N3565B%20engine%20cowling-Master.PDF

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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