# NTSB DEN82DA044: Piper PA-31P, N12JP, Gunnison, CO, March 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1982, 15:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Coordinates: 38.540252, -106.920089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5403&lon=-106.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA044

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE TO ADDISON, TX, THE PILOT NOTICED A FLUCTUATION IN THE ENGINE EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURE GAUGE, FOLLOWED BY THE TACHOMETER DROPPING TO ZERO. THE PILOT ALSO OBSERVED SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE NACELLE AND PROCEEDED TO SECURE THE ENGINE AND FEATHER THE PROPELLER AND ACCOMPLISH A SUCCESSFULL EMERGENCY LANDING. FURTHER EXAMINATION DISCLOSED TWO BLOW-OUT HOLES IN THE LOWER AREA OF THE TRANSITION TUBE ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED HOT ENGINE EXHAUST TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OVERBOARD EXHAUST PIPE CLAMPS, COWL FLAP MOTOR AND ACTUATING ROD WERE DAMAGED BY FIRE AND FELL FROM THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IN FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,egt/tot gage - fluctuating (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,tachometer - improper (contributing factor)
  - nacelle/pylon,main frame - smoke (contributing factor)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,terminal - burst (cause)
  - exhaust system,clamp - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12JP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P68
- Airframe hours: 2154
- Engines: LYCOMING TIGO-541-E1A 425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerald Langford/Cindell Noel R
- Registered owner: Gerald Langford/Cindell Noel R
- Departed: C, GUNNISON, CO
- Destination: C, ADDISON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Gunnison County, runway 24, 7,198 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,500 total, 365 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820315005779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820315005779A), Mar 15, 1982: Piper PA31P, Gunnison, CO, Substantial damage. Fire in left engine nacelle on climb out. Returned safely. Found blow out holes in exhaust transition tube.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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