# NTSB CHI82FA168: Piper PA-22, N3723Z, Joilet, IL, May 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1982, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Joilet, IL
- Coordinates: 41.549179, -88.130554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5492&lon=-88.1306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, descent - normal
  - fuel system,line - deteriorated (cause)
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
  - fuselage,floor - fire (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION, A FIRE STARTED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FLOORBOARD AGAINST THE FIREWALL. THE PILOT TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND BEFORE LANDING, SHUT OFF THE FUEL SELECTOR. AFTER LANDING, THE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED AND THE PLANE CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL ARRIVED AND APPLIED DRY CHEMICALS. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, A FUEL LINE WAS FOUND WITH AREAS OF THINNING. THIS LINE WAS ROUTED FROM THE FIRE WALL TO THE FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE ON THE LEFT SIDE O THE CABIN. THIS AREA HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT DURING THE FIRE. A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF IGNITION WAS A POWER SUPPLY FOR THE RADIO, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE FIRE WALL UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL JUST ABOVE THE FUEL LINE. AN INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE POWER SUPPLY UNIT SHOWED AN AREA OF INTENSIVE HEAT AROUND THE RELAY ASSEMBLY. ACCORDING TO AN ENGINEERING REPORT, THE WALL THINNING OF THE FUEL LINE (MADE FROM ALUMINUM ALLOY 3003) WAS A RESULT OF LOSS OF MATERIAL AT THE INNER SURFACE

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3723Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3723Z-2021-06-05), registration cancelled 2021-06-05, S/N 22-7597, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-7597
- Airframe hours: 1825
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve S. Matter
- Registered owner: Steve S. Matter
- Departed: DEKALB, IL
- Destination: JOILET, IL
- Airport: JOT, Joilet, runway 22, 3,452 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 112 total, 112 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °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 19820516015889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820516015889A), May 16, 1982: Piper PA22160, Joliet, IL, Destroyed. Deteriorated fuel line leaked fuel onto power unit. Smoke and fire erupted in flight. Landed and evacuated.

## Other investigations on N3723Z (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 CHI75DEE51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75DEE51), Mar 16, 1975: Piper PA-22 (N3723Z), Wayne, IL, substantial damage

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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