# NTSB ERA10IA147: Piper PA-46-310P, N43368, Nashville, TN, February 21, 2010 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 2010, 18:50 local (Feb 21, 2010, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Nashville, TN - Coordinates: 36.121387, -86.673614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1214&lon=-86.6736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75394 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10IA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75394/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75394 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10IA147 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the fuel control unit fuel lines after replacement of the starter adapter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: replacement](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while in cruise flight the alternator light illuminated and he smelled smoke. He declared an emergency, diverted to the nearest airport, and noted a complete loss of engine power during the descent. The pilot and passengers evacuated the airplane, and noted that light smoke emanated from the cowling for several minutes after landing. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed fire damage in the engine compartment between the firewall and rear engine baffle. The fuel control unit feed and return lines were found loose at the rear engine baffle fittings immediately above the starter and starter adapter. Inspection of maintenance invoices revealed that the starter adapter was replaced approximately 9 hours before the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 2010, about 1850 central standard time, a Piper PA-46-310P, N43368, experienced a total loss of engine power following an in flight fire near Nashville, Tennessee. The pilot successfully completed a forced landing at the Nashville International Airport (BNA). The certificated commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured and the airplane received minor damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated at Winchester Municipal Airport (BGF), Winchester, Tennessee, and was destined for Iowa City Municipal Airport (IOW), Iowa City, Iowa. The pilot stated that while in cruise flight at 12,000 feet the alternator light illuminated and he smelled smoke. He declared an emergency, diverted to the nearest airport, and noted a complete loss of engine power during the descent. The pilot then completed the forced landing at BNA, and evacuated the airplane. No visible damage or open flames were observed after landing, but light smoke emanated from the cowling for several minutes. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector at the scene revealed fire damage in the engine compartment between the firewall and rear engine baffle. The airplane was recovered from the site for a detailed examination at a later date. According to FAA records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument airplane ratings. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued in March 2009. The pilot reported 2,632 total hours of flight experience, of which 162 were in the incident airplane's make and model. He had accrued 64 hours in the airplane make and model in the 90 days prior to the incident, and 14 hours in the airplane make and model in the 30 days prior to the incident. FAA records indicated that the airplane was manufactured in 1984, and was registered to Big Sky, Inc in January 2008. It was equipped with a 300-horsepower, Teledyne-Continental TSIO-520 engine. The tricycle landing gear was retractable and hydraulically actuated. On February 23, 2010, a detailed examination of the airplane was performed by the FAA inspector. Examination revealed fire damaged seals, fuel lines, drive belts, pulleys, the top of the engine cowling, and the right nose landing gear door. The fuel control unit feed and return lines were loose at the rear engine baffle fittings. Inspection of maintenance invoices revealed that the starter adapter was replaced on February 19, 2010, approximately 9 hours before the accident. The starter and starter adapter were located below the loose fuel control unit fuel lines. At 1853, the weather reported at BNA included winds from 170 degrees at 4 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; broken clouds at 20,000 feet; temperature 11 degrees Celsius (C); dew point -5 C;and the altimeter setting was 30.09 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43368](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43368), registered now, S/N 46-8408028, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P - Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-8408028 - Airframe hours: 4529 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Big Sky Inc - Registered owner: Big Sky Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2010, 25 hours before - Departed: BGF, Winchester, TN - Destination: IOW, Iowa City, IA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BNA, Nashville International, runway 13, 11,030 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,632 total, 162 in this make and model, 2,565 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: BNA ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20100220028029I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100220028029I), Feb 20, 2010: Piper PA-46-310P, Nashville, TN, Minor damage. During cruise flight, the pilot got an alternator warning light. The pilot reset the breaker warning light was still illuminated. At this time an elctrical… ## Other investigations on N43368 (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA20FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA118), Mar 3, 2020: Piper PA46 (N43368), Bishop, GA, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s encounter with a rain shower updraft and severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and an inflight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75394. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA inspector statement (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327369&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20inspector%20statement-Master.PDF - Maintenance invoice, starter adapter (item 3, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20invoice,%20starter%20adapter-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital picture provided by FAA showing loose fuel lines and fire damage to accessory area of engine. (item 4, .PDF, 644 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20picture%20provided%20by%20FAA%20showing%20loose%20fuel%20lines%20and%20fire%20damage%20to%20accessory%20area%20of%20engine.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital picture provided by FAA showing heat damage to top rear of cowling. (item 5, .PDF, 344 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20picture%20provided%20by%20FAA%20showing%20heat%20damage%20to%20top%20rear%20of%20cowling.-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Digital picture provided by FAA showing heat damage to right nose landing gear door. (item 6, .PDF, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Digital%20picture%20provided%20by%20FAA%20showing%20heat%20damage%20to%20right%20nose%20landing%20gear%20door.-Master.PDF 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.