# NTSB CEN11LA574: Piper PA-31-310, N46TB, Perryton, TX, August 17, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 2011, 15:42 local (20:42 UTC) - Place: Perryton, TX - Coordinates: 36.421112, -100.742774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4211&lon=-100.7428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Explosion (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/160) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81490 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA574 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81490/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81490 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA574 ## Probable cause The explosion and subsequent fire in the airplane for undetermined reasons because an examination of the burned airplane could not identify any preaccident anomolies. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-310, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7103102), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Explosion (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/160) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-310, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/160/sequence.md?model=7103102), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/160/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-310, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=7103102), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-310, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=7103102), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-310, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing pretakeoff cockpit checks at the end of the runway when an explosion under his seat propelled his head into the ceiling. He saw flames inside the airplane and exited through the cabin door. The unoccupied airplane moved forward and was completely engulfed in flames when it stopped moving, about 400 feet from the place the explosion occurred. Firefighters arrived about 10 minutes later and put out the fire. The airplane was substantially damaged by the fire. An examination of the wreckage did not disclose any preaccident malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The reason for the explosion and fire could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 2011, at 1542 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31-310 multiengine airplane, N46TB, was substantially damaged after an explosion and fire prior to takeoff at Perryton Ochiltree County Airport (PYX), Perryton, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot sustained minor injuries. At the time of the accident the airplane was departing for a flight to Shawnee Regional Airport (SNL), Shawnee, Oklahoma. After taxiing the airplane to the end of the runway the pilot performed pretakeoff cockpit checks with the engines running at 1,200 rpms. He reported there was an explosion under his seat that propelled his head into the ceiling and he then saw flames inside the airplane. With both engines still operating he immediately left his cockpit seat and the unpiloted airplane began moving as the pilot exited through the cabin door. The airplane was completely engulfed in flames when it finally stopped moving about 400 feet away. Firefighters arrived in about 10 minutes and quickly put out the fire. The airplane was substantially damaged by the fire. The pilot reported that he used either his airplane or his vehicle in his duties as a sales manager for a company which provides chemicals to oil and gas drilling and production operations in the area. He also reported that he was not transporting chemicals at the time of the accident. An examination of the wreckage did not disclose any preaccident malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Investigators were unable to determine the source of the fire and explosion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46TB-2015-09-24), registration cancelled 2015-09-24, S/N 31-67 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-67 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-A1A 310 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIO-540-A1A 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PYX, Shawnee, TX - Destination: SNL, Shawnee, OK - Airport: PYX, Perryton Ochiltree County Arpt, runway 17, 5,701 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 300 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KPYX ## 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 20110817021099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110817021099A), Aug 17, 2011: Piper PA-31-310, Perryton, TX, Destroyed. On August 17, 2011, at approximately 15:42CDT, N46TB, a Piper PA-31-310, serial number 31-67, was operated by the owner, who holds an FAA private pilot… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81490. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversations (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Master.PDF - Maps (item 3, .PDF, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Description of Security Camera Video Images (item 4, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Description%20of%20Security%20Camera%20Video%20Images-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - First responders at the accident scene (Sheriff's Office Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20First%20responders%20at%20the%20accident%20scene%20%20(Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of the wreckage after the fire has been extinguished (Sheriff's Office Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20the%20wreckage%20after%20the%20fire%20has%20been%20extinguished%20%20(Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - View of the wreckage from the taxiway (Sheriff's Office Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20View%20of%20the%20wreckage%20from%20the%20taxiway%20%20(Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies - Sheriff's Office Incident Report Narrative (item 8, .PDF, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%20-%20Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Incident%20Report%20Narrative-Redacted.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. --- 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.