# NTSB FTW82IA209: Piper PA-31P-135, N222SA, Lake Charles, LA, May 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1982, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Location: 30.2266° N, 93.2174° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Charles, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2266&lon=-93.2174&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82IA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71315/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82IA209

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,electric wiring - overtemperature (cause)
  - electrical system - not corrected, manufacturer (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, manufacturer (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT FL200 IN VMC CONDITIONS, THE PILOT SMELLED AND THEN OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTERS AND UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ADVISED HOUSTON CENTER OF HIS SITUATION, THEN TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND MADE AN UNEVENTFUL DESCENT AND LANDING AT LAKE CHARLES, LA. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE THREE RESISTORS IN THE CIGAR LIGHTER RESISTOR ASSEMBLY HAD OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE PHENOLIC BACKING ON WHICH IT WAS MOUNTED. AFTER BURNING THE BACKING, THE HEAT BURNED ABOUT 2 FEET OF BLACK RUBBER VACUUM TUBING. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT PIPER HAD ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN (SB) #654 ON THIS PART. THE SB CALLED FOR THE REMOVAL OF THESE ASSEMBLIES FROM ALL PA-31, 31-325 AND 31-350 AIRCRAFT AFTER A SIMILAR INCIDENT IN JUNE OF 1980. THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND SUBSEQUENT AD 79/20/07 DID NOT ADDRESS THE SAME RESISTORS INSTALLED IN PA-31P AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222SA-1989-06-30), registration cancelled 1989-06-30, S/N 31P7400203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P-7400203
- Airframe hours: 2052
- Engines: P & W PT-6-135 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Z-Rider Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Julian E. Fernandez
- Departed: LAFAYETTE, LA
- Destination: HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,056 total, 36 in this make and model, 2,161 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH

## 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 19820528054219I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820528054219I), May 28, 1982: Piper PA31P, Lake Charles, LA, Minor damage. Smoke in cockpit. Emergency descent. Turned off electrics, put passengers on oxygen, cigarette lighter shorted out.

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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