# NTSB CHI87LA204: Piper PA-28-235, N9287W, Indianapolis, IN, September 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1987, 11:12 local (16:12 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Location: 39.7173° N, 86.2946° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at INDIANAPOLIS INTL (IND), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7173&lon=-86.2946&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,muffler - fatigue (cause)
  - exhaust system,muffler - cracked (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - burned (cause)
  - fuel system,line - burned (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON THE THIRD TKOF OF THE DAY WHEN THE ENG STOPPED ON INITIAL CLIMB AT THE PILOTS ESTIMATED ALT OF 500 FT. HE DID A 180 TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT AND RAN THROUGH THE PERIMETER FENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE MUFFLER CONTAINED A SEVEN INCH CRACK, SIX INCHES OF WHICH WERE FOUND RUSTED WITH ROUNDED ERODED EDGES. THE MUFFLER SHROUD HAD A CORRESPONDING HOLE 6.7 INCHES LONG AND APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH WIDE. MELTED METAL WAS FOUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SHROUD AND A FUEL PRESSURE LINE, LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE CRACKED MUFFLER, WAS FOUND BURNED. FAA INSPECTORS INDICATED THAT THE CARBURETOR ALTERNATE AIR INTAKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE CARBURETOR THROAT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN INFLIGHT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9287W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2810963
- Airframe hours: 2746
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Progressive Flying Club
- Registered owner: The Progressive Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1986
- Airport: IND, Indianapolis Int., runway 13, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 998 total, 22 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 1 nm away

## 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 19870906050289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870906050289A), Sep 6, 1987: Piper PA28235, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Unable to make runway. Hit a fence landing. Heat from cracked muffler melted 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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