# NTSB CHI82DA300: Piper PA-28-161, N43745, Brainerd, MN, August 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1982, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Brainerd, MN
- Location: 46.4042° N, 94.1338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BRAINERD LAKES RGNL (BRD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4042&lon=-94.1338&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA300

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, landing - roll
  - fuel system,carburetor - other (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE ENGINE QUIT OPERATING AND THE PILOT TURNED OFF ONTO A TAXIWAY. HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE HOT ENGINE. DURING THIS TIME, SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COWLING. THE PILOT EXITED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND NOTED A SMALL FIRE (FLAMES) IN THE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE. NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS READILY AVAILABLE, SO THE FIRE JUST BURNED ITSELF OUT, BUT SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE OCCURRED. AND INVESTIGATION REVEALED FIRE DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEAR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, BUT NO LEAKS OR BROKEN FUEL LINES WERE FOUND. THE POSSIBILITY OF FLOODING THE CARBURETOR WAS CONSIDERED, BUT THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED. HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR FLOAT LEVEL WAS FOUND TO BE 1/64 OF AN INCH LOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43745](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43745), registered now, S/N 28-7816020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78-16020
- Airframe hours: 1939
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thunderbird Aviation
- Registered owner: Thunderbird Aviation
- Departed: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: BRAINARD, MN
- Airport: BRD, East Gull, runway 9, 2,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,400 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F

## 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 19820805060799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820805060799A), Aug 5, 1982: Piper PA28161, Brainerd, MN, Substantial damage. Fire eruptted from engine compartment during landing roll. Fuel from carburetor spilling on exhaust probable.

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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