# NTSB FTW03LA046: Piper PA-31-350, N698VW, Kerrville, TX, November 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2002, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Kerrville, TX - Coordinates: 29.976667, -99.085556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9767&lon=-99.0856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56085 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56085/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA046 ## Probable cause The propeller shaft seal leak resulting in an in-flight fire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - lubricating system,oil seal - leak (cause) - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command - fluid,oil - fire (cause) - Fire, cruise ## Analysis During cruise flight at 6,500 feet msl, the pilot heard a "muffled bang on the right engine." The pilot performed the emergency procedures, shut down the right engine, feathered the propeller, and landed the airplane without further incident. The outboard portion of the right flap, the right gear door, and the right wing locker were destroyed by the in-flight fire. There was thermal deformation of the aft right wing spar. During an examination of the airplane, oil was found from the right engine propeller aft to the right vertical stabilizer. The oil filter was replaced and 8 quarts of oil were added to the engine for an test run. During the 10-minute test run, oil was observed leaking from the forward area of the engine. Following the test run, examination revealed the oil was leaking from the propeller shaft seal. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2002, approximately 1300 central standard time, a Piper PA-31-350 twin-engine airplane, N698VW, was substantially damaged following an in-flight engine fire while in cruise flight near Kerrville, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the private pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed Kerrville, Texas, approximately 1230. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that during cruise flight at 6,500 feet msl, he heard a "muffled bang on the right engine." The pilot performed the emergency procedures, shut down the right engine, and feathered the propeller. The pilot did not see any evidence of fire. The pilot perfromed a single-engine landing on runway 30 at the Kerrville Municipal/Louis Schreiner Field Airport, Kerrville, Texas, without further incident. During an examination of the airplane by the pilot, a mechanic, and the FAA inspector, oil was found from the right engine propeller aft to the right vertical stabilizer. The outboard portion of the right flap, the right gear door, and the right wing locker were destroyed by the in-flight fire. There was thermal deformation of the aft right wing spar. The oil filter was replaced and 8 quarts of oil were added to the engine for an test run. During the 10-minute test run, the engine was operated throughout the power range of the engine, the propeller was operated throughout its range, and a magneto check was performed. During the test run, oil was observed leaking from the forward area of the engine. Following the test run, examination revealed the oil was leaking from the propeller shaft seal for the right engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N698VW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N698VW), registered now, S/N 31-7405408, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 31-7405408 - Engines: Lycoming LTIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David R. Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 2002, 33 hours before - Departed: ERV, Kerrville, TX - Destination: ERV, Kerrville, TX - Airport: ERV, Kerrville/Schreiner, runway 30, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 6,917 total, 6,917 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 325° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20021106031199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021106031199A), Nov 6, 2002: Piper PA31350, Kerrville, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 6, 2002, approximately 1200 central standard time, a Piper PA-31-35 twin-engine airplane, N698VW, was substanially damaged following an… 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.