# NTSB FTW81FA110: Piper PA-22, N8773D, Busch, AR, June 20, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 20, 1981
- Place: Busch, AR · BUSCH, AR
- Location: 36.4642° N, 93.8308° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Busch, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4642&lon=-93.8308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 4, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA110
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA110

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1343  81/6/20    BUSCH,AR            PIPER PA-22         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 38, UNK/NR
        TIME - 1745                    N8773D              PX-  3  2  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FAYETTEVILLE,AR             SPRINGDALE,AR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: EMERGENCY DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (OWNER PERSONNEL)
           SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: RELAYS AND WIRING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CHAFED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - GROUNDED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FIRE IN CABIN,COCKPIT,BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - SMOKE IN COCKPIT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  SMOKE IN COCKPIT
        REMARKS- PAX OBSD SMOKE COMING FM BHND INST PANEL.RMI WIRE BUNDLE BCM CHAFED & GNDD TO COPPER TUBE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8773D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8773D-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 22-5960, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (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 19810620034619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810620034619A), Jun 20, 1981: Piper PA22160, Busch, AR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Electrical fire in flight. Lost control due to smoke. Pilot had performed own installatin on shorted wiring.

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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