# NTSB CHI96LA014: Piper PA-31, N693MA, Anderson, IN, October 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 1995, 05:47 local (10:47 UTC) - Place: Anderson, IN - Coordinates: 40.130168, -85.760772 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1302&lon=-85.7608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10137 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10137/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA014 ## Probable cause inadequate maintenance in that an engine oil line was not properly tightened after routine maintenance. A factor was the disconnected oil line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, cruise - lubricating system,oil line - disconnected (contributing factor) - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - 1 engine - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING OFF AT 4000 FEET MSL, THE LEFT ENGINE AREA ERUPTED IN FLAMES. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS EXECUTED. A POST FLIGHT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE OIL LINE WHICH SUPPLIES THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED. THE DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE (DOM) FOR THE COMPANY OWNING N693MA STATED THIS WAS THE AIRCRAFT'S FIRST FLIGHT AFTER A 50 HOUR INSPECTION. THE DOM STATED THAT IT WAS NOT NORMAL PRACTICE TO REMOVE THE OIL LINE TO THE TURBOCHARGER DURING A 50 HOUR INSPECTION. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 1995, at 0547 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-31, N693MA, piloted by a commercial pilot was substantially damaged from a left engine fire in cruise flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating on a IFR flight plan. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed from Munice, Indiana, at 0530 edt. The pilot stated that he had just leveled off the aircraft at 4000 feet mean sea level. Shortly thereafter, the left engine area erupted in flames. Upon seeing the fire the pilot pulled the mixture control to idle cutoff, and shut off the fuel selector valve for the left engine. However, the fire continued in the engine area until landing. The pilot received a vector from Indianapolis Approach Control for the emergency descent/landing at Anderson, Indiana. A post flight examination by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the left engine's turbocharger oil line was not attached at the accessory case on the engine. In a telephone interview with the pilot he stated that during the preflight he checked the oil on both engines, but did not open the engine side inspection doors. The pilot stated he did not feather the left engine, because he needed the extra drag to execute the rapid descent. The windmilling prop would drive the engine's oil pump, causing the engine's oil to be expelled out the accessory case opening. A telephone interview was conducted with the director of maintenance (DOM) for the company that owned N693MA. He stated this was the aircraft's first flight after a 50 hour inspection. The DOM said that a different mechanic had worked on each engine. The inspection was accomplished in accordance with Piper service report #230764. N693MA was then run up and checked for oil leaks, with none found. The DOM stated that it was not normal practice to remove the oil line to the turbocharger during a 50 hour inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: N693MA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-7852005 - Airframe hours: 6040 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Minnetrista Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MIE, MUNCIE, IN - Destination: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,670 total, 839 in this make and model, 11,670 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IND, 35 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 19951019046389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951019046389A), Oct 19, 1995: Piper PA31350, Anderson, IN, Substantial damage. Leveling at cruise fire in left engine. Landed aid. Oil line to turbocharger disconnected. Recent engine inspection (-23) no narrative. 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.