# NTSB DEN90LA054: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N21492, Provo, UT, February 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1990, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Provo, UT
- Location: 40.2338° N, 111.6585° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Provo, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2338&lon=-111.6585&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 89-12-04 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA054

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND FATIGUE FAILURE AND LEAKAGE OF THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS PROVIDED BY THE (FAA) AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - fatigue (cause)
  - exhaust system - leak (cause)
  - 
- Fire, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, landing

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT NOTED A DROP IN MANIFOLD PRESSURE & DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE ON A BASE LEG TO LAND, HEAVY SMOKE & FUMES FILLED THE CABIN & REQUIRED THE PLT TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE VENT WINDOW TO COMPLETE THE LANDING. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED ON THE RUNWAY, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS EXTINGUISHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE (LYCOMING PART NO: LW-15811) HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED AT THE FLANGE. THE ENGINE CROSSOVER EXHAUST ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN MODIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AD 89-12-04 & TEXTRON LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN #484, WHICH WERE INTENDED TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF FAILURE/SEPARATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21492](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21492-1996-06-24), registration cancelled 1996-06-24, S/N 32R7887215 (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: 32R-7887215
- Airframe hours: 2145
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Alpine Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Alpine Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 8, 1989, 36 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: CNY, MOAB, UT
- Airport: PVU, Provo, runway 13, 7,096 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,682 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,456 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900203038989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900203038989A), Feb 3, 1990: Piper PA32RT300T, Provo, UT, Substantial damage. Exhaust pipe to turbo charger came off. Hot exhaust gas ignited baggage wall blanket.

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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