# NTSB CHI85LA001: Piper PA-23-250, N37JL, Greenbush, MN, October 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1984, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Greenbush, MN
- Coordinates: 48.690502, -96.179847 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6905&lon=-96.1798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, taxi - from landing
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING AN UNEVENTFUL APPROACH AND LANDING, THE PLT WAS TAXIING BACK UP THE RUNWAY WHEN THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT. THE RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER IMMEDIATELY NOTED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTIFIED THE PLT, WHO SWUNG THE ACFT INTO POSITON FOR WIND TO KEEP FLAMES FROM THE WING WHILE SECURING BOTH ENGINE FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVES, HEATER FUEL SHUT-OFF AND THE ACFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PLT ORDERED EVACUATION AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE WITH HAND-HELD EXTINGUISHER. FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES UNTIL LOCAL FIRE DEPT PUT OUT FLAMES. DAMAGE PRECLUDED DETERMINATION OF FIRE SOURCE, BELIEVED TO BE A BROKEN LINE OR SEPARATED FITTING IN THE ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWES A QUANTITY OF FUEL TO COLLECT IN THE NACELLE BEFORE ENGINE QUIT FROM FUEL STARVATION, FIRE IGNITED, AND PLT CLOSED SHUT-OFF VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37JL-2009-03-25), registration cancelled 2009-03-25, S/N 27-2600, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2600
- Airframe hours: 3899
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Arrowhead Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1984, 97 hours before
- Departed: STP, ST. PAUL, MN
- Destination: 02Y, GREENBUSH, MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 024, Greenbush Municipal Arpt., runway 21, 1,897 × 192 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,945 total, 162 in this make and model, 1,713 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19841003053579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841003053579A), Oct 3, 1984: Piper PA23250, Greenbush, MN, Substantial damage. Right engine stopped on rollout. Flames from engine cowl. Shut off fuel, electrical and deplaned. Broken fuel line.

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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