# NTSB CHI94LA068: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39505, Newberry, MI, January 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 22, 1994, 13:48 local (18:48 UTC) - Place: Newberry, MI - Coordinates: 46.349597, -85.499099 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3496&lon=-85.4991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9455/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA068 ## Probable cause an engine fire which started as the result of an oil leak around the engine oil filter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, climb - lubricating system,oil filter/screen - leak (cause) - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE IN A CLIMB TO ASSIGNED ALTITUDE, THE PROPELLER BEGAN TO OVERSPEED. THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT HE HAD JUST DEPARTED. SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE COCKPIT, AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE AFTER THE LANDING. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTENSE FIRE IN THE ENGINE ACCESSORY SECTION NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER. THE OIL AND OIL FILTER HAD BEEN CHANGED THREE DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE HAD MADE SINCE THE OIL CHANGE WAS A 2 HOUR FLIGHT THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT. THE OIL FILTER IS LOCATED ON THE ACCESSORY CASE NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER. ## Factual narrative On January 22, 1994, at 1348 eastern standard time, a PA32RT-300T, N39505, was destroyed when the pilot made a forced landing in a wooded area near Newberry, Michigan. The private, instrument-rated, pilot who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The pilot reported a complete loss of power during the initial climb after takeoff. An instrument flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The personal flight originated at the Luce County Airport, Newberry, and the intended destination was the Riverview Airport, Jenison, Michigan. The pilot reported the propeller began to overspeed during the climb from Newberry. He reduced power and turned back toward the airport. He stated he began to smell smoke, then the cabin began to fill with smoke. Shortly thereafter the engine lost all power. The pilot made a forced landing in a wooded area. The airplane was destroyed by a postimpact fire. The engine was examined at the Lycoming Factory, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. There was evidence of an intense fire in the area of the right side of the accessory housing, below the turbocharger. No preexisting discrepancy or malfunction was discovered during the engine examination. Engine log book entries indicate the engine oil and filter were changed on January 19, 1994. The flight from Jenison to Newberry the morning of the accident was the first flight since the oil change. The oil filter is located on the accessory housing in the vicinity of the turbocharger. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39505](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39505-1994-12-27), registration cancelled 1994-12-27, S/N 32R7887097 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R7887097 - Airframe hours: 1360 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James D. Holst - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1993, 60 hours before - Departed: ERY - Destination: 08C, JENISON, MI - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 270 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken - Temperature: -15 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: YAM, 45 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 19940122000789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940122000789A), Jan 22, 1994: Piper PA32RT300T, Newberry, MI, Destroyed. Smoke in cabin. Power loss on climbout. Landed in trees. Evidence intense fire near turbocharger below oil filter. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.