# NTSB CHI88LA170: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8069S, Chicago, IL, July 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1988, 02:25 local (07:25 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.780509, -87.770164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7805&lon=-87.7702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - fire
  - emergency procedure - performed
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

DURING CLIMBOUT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FIRE AND DIVERTED TO CHICAGO'S MIDWAY AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT EXECUTED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, THE FUEL SUPPLY, AND ALL ELECTRICAL LOAD. WHEN THE PILOT KNEW HE HAD THE RUNWAY MADE, HE SELECTED THE GEAR DOWN POSITION WITH THE GEAR HANDLE, BUT ELECTED NOT TO VERIFY GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE GEAR FAILED TO EXTEND; A GEAR UP LANDING ENSUED. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WOULD DROP WHEN THE GEAR HANDLE WAS ACTIVATED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT REVEALED THAT THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A LOOSE LINE FITTING ON A FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLE WHICH ALLOWED RAW FUEL TO SPRAY INTO THE COMPARTMENT; SPECIFICALLY, ONTO THE TURBO-CHARGER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS JACKED UP AND REMOVED FROM THE RUNWAY BEFORE AN INVESTIGATOR ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8069S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8069S), registered now, S/N 32R-8229028, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (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: 32R-8229028
- Airframe hours: 1249
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Loren E.
- Registered owner: Smith, Loren E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1987, 166 hours before
- Departed: 1C5, PLAINFIELD, IL
- Destination: UCA, UTICA, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MDW, Midway, runway 31R, 5,078 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW

## 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 19880720027189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880720027189A), Jul 20, 1988: Piper PA32R301T, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Engine fire on climbout. Diverted and landed gear up. Fire went out on fuel shutoff. Loose b nut on injector nozzle

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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