# NTSB CHI92LA160: Piper PA-32R-300, N812PC, Round Lake, IL, June 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1992, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Round Lake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.340873, -88.110069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3409&lon=-88.1101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, AND THE FIRE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR REASONS UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - fire (cause)
- Fire, descent - emergency
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - fire
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.  THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FARM FIELD.  PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN FLAMES WERE PRESENT IN THE COCKPIT.  AFTER THE LANDING, THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRPLANE, WITH MINOR INJURIES.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO BURN.  A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL THE SOURCE WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED.  THE PILOT DESCRIBED THE ORIGIN TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE; HOWEVER, DURING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES HE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO DISENGAGE THE MASTER SWITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N812PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N812PC-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 7680250, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (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: 76-80250
- Airframe hours: 3906
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bitton, Daniel A., doing business as D B Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1992, 9 hours before
- Departed: 10C, WONDER LAKE, IL
- Destination: UGN, WAUKEGAN, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,765 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 27 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 19920601017399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920601017399A), Jun 1, 1992: Piper PA32R300, Round Lake, IL, Destroyed. Smoke and fire under instrument panel. Force landed in plowed field and burned. Did not turn off master switch.

## Other investigations on N812PC (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 SEA78DYK01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYK01), Oct 22, 1977: Piper PA-32R (N812PC), Klamath Falls, OR, 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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