# NTSB FTW77FRG43: Piper PA-31, N6578L, Normana, TX, May 3, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 3, 1977
- Place: Normana, TX · NORMANA, TX
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 13, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77FRG43
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRG43

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0803   77/5/3    NORMANA,TX          PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 39, 3100
        TIME - 1325                    N6578L              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          AUSTIN,TX                   MCALLEN,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISSING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTENTIONAL WHEELS-UP
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FIRE IN ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- 3 VALVE COVER SCREWS MISSING FROM BOTH CNTR CYL ON R ENG.TEN OTHERS LOOSE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6578L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6578L-1977-07-18), registration cancelled 1977-07-18, S/N 31-503 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31) (registry code 7103103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770503010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770503010959A), May 3, 1977: Piper PA31, Normana, TX, Destroyed. 3 Valve cover screws missing from both cntr cyl on r eng. Ten others loose.

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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