# NTSB DEN82DA110: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N31912, Durango, CO, June 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1982, 18:00 local (Jun 23, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.27053, -107.879074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2705&lon=-107.8791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - exhaust system,clamp - failure,total (cause)
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - leak (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - overtemperature (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - overtemperature (cause)
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - not engaged (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKING OFF, DENSE WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE COCKPIT AND SEEMED TO COME FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTS WERE IN THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE, BUT THE SMOKE BECAME SO DENSE THAT THE VISIBILITY IN THE COCKPIT WAS REDUCED TO A FEW INCHES. THE PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT WAS ALSO A PILOT AND ASSISTED IN NAVIGATING BACK TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED DOWNWIND ON RUNWAY 20, AND AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A TURBOCHARGER EXHAUST COUPLING HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO EXPEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OIL PRESSURE HOSE LINE MELTED AND OIL WAS SPRAYED ONTO THE TURBOCHARGER AND MIXED WITH THE HOT GASES AND BURNED. THE SMOKE ENTERED THE COCKPIT THROUGH THE VENT BENEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AN EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE GEAR REVEALED THAT THE GEAR DOWN LOCK SPRINGS WERE DAMAGED BY FIRE, THUS ALLOWING THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31912](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31912-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 32R-7887014, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7887014
- Airframe hours: 1245
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-51AD reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Durango Flying Service
- Registered owner: D. Watkins/C. Crone/R. Grossma
- Departed: DRO, DURANGO, CO
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DRO, Durango Laplata Co., runway 20, 9,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,353 total, 310 in this make and model, 1,141 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Temperature: 165 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO

## 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 19820622026959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820622026959A), Jun 22, 1982: Piper PA32RT300T, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Cockpit filled with smoke. Nosewheel collapsed landing. Turbocharger exhaust coupling failed. Heat failed nose gear.

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.