# NTSB ERA23LA065: Piper PA-28-181, N8129M, Manassas, VA, November 18, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 18, 2022, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Manassas, VA · Ramp - Coordinates: 38.721023, -77.515101 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7210&lon=-77.5151&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106314 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106314/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106314 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA065 ## Probable cause An engine fire caused by chafing and subsequent electrical arcing of the alternator wire near a fuel source. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system: electrical pwr sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis In preparation for the instructional flight, the flight instructor primed the engine with fuel several times and attempted to start it; each time the engine would get close to starting but would not run. On the fourth start attempt, he did not prime the engine and white smoke started to emanate from the engine compartment. The flight instructor then shut off the fuel valve and electrical equipment and then exited the airplane to investigate. He discharged a fire extinguisher into the air intake without effect. The smoke increased in intensity before a fire broke out and within minutes engulfed the engine compartment and cockpit area before eventually being extinguished by airport fire rescue. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed electrical arcing damage to an alternator wire and surrounding structure. Pitting consistent with electrical arcing was discovered on the engine mounts and the alternator wire displayed features consistent with electrical arcing damage that was located near a fuel line. The clamp that affixed the wire was severely damaged and melted. Based on this information, the wire likely chafed over time until metal-to-metal contact was made as the wire was energized, which resulted in a fire that was fed by fuel from a nearby fuel line. ## Factual narrative On November 18, 2022, about 0745 eastern standard time, a Piper PA28-181, N8129M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Manassas, Virginia. The flight instructor and a student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor and student were preparing for a flight at Manassas Regional Airport/Harry P. Davis Field (HEF), Manassas, Virginia. The flight instructor reported that he primed the engine with fuel several times and attempted to start the engine in the cold weather; the engine got close to starting but did not maintain power and stopped. He attempted another start with the same result. After waiting several minutes, he primed it once and attempted to start it again, but it shut off after about 4 seconds. During the fourth attempt, he did not use any primer, but white smoke started emanating from the engine compartment. He shut off the fuel valve and electrical equipment and then grabbed the fire extinguisher before exiting the airplane. The smoke continued to increase and a mechanic who was nearby told him to aim the fire extinguisher into the engine air intake and attempt to suppress any developing fire; he did so to no effect. The smoke continued to increase in severity followed quickly by fire emanating from the engine compartment. The fire increased in intensity and engulfed the front of the airplane in about 5 minutes before airport fire rescue services arrived and extinguished the fire. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage. The fire consumed the engine compartment and entire cockpit and cabin. There was additional thermal damage to the wings. Further examination revealed electrical arcing damage to the alternator wire. Electrical pitting was discovered on the engine mounts and the alternator wire displayed features consistent with electrical arcing. The clamp that affixed the wire was severely damaged and melted and appeared to be oversized. There was damage to the wire and clamp where they joined and was in close proximity to a fuel line. A review of maintenance records for the preceding 36 months did not yield any items associated with the alternator or wires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8129M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8129M), registered now, S/N 28-8290094, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8290094 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 5521 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Consulting Expertise LLC - Registered owner: Aviation Consulting Expertise LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 2022, 12 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: HEF, Manassas Rgnl/Harry P Davis Fld - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 625 total - Student pilot; injuries: none; student; medical: unknown; seat: left; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: HEF - METAR: METAR KHEF 181256Z 16004KT 10SM CLR M03/M05 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP254 T10331050 FZRANO= ## 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 20221118020379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221118020379A), Nov 18, 2022: Piper PA-28-181, Manassas, VA, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] Was being prepared for a part 141 training flight on the morning of 11/18/2022. The accident pilot and the student pilot arrived at the… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106314. 54.9 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 18.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17630432&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Operator statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17630861&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records excerpt (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17631299&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination summary (FAA) (item 4, PDF, 11 pages, 30.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17631029&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspectors%20Presentation_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memo for record_FAA conversation (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17631434&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record_FAA%20Converation-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - requests to operator for 6120.1 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17631863&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record_NTSB%20Request%20for%20Operators%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array_airplane damage (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 877 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17631145&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs_N8120M-Rel.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.