# NTSB FTW83LA264: Piper PA-25-235, N8533L, Rio Grande City, TX, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 06:35 local (11:35 UTC)
- Place: Rio Grande City, TX
- Coordinates: 26.550262, -98.719024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5503&lon=-98.7190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  SHORTLY AFTER DEPATURE THE ACFT COCKPIT FILLED WITH HEAVY SMOKE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. AN OFF ARPT LANDING WAS MADE AND INTENSE FIRE CONSUMED THE ACFT AFTER IT SLID TO STOP. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE SMOKE OR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8533L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8533L-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 25-4953, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (registry code 41531, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4953
- Airframe hours: 3082
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Tomas F. Briones
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 25, 1983, 35 hours before
- Departed: GTR, RIO GRANDE, TX
- Airport: 67R, Starr County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 14,600 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 10,400 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830605022909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605022909A), Jun 5, 1983: Piper PA25235, Rio Grande City, TX, Destroyed. Smoke appeared in cockpit shortly after takeoff. Pilot made mergency landing and fire consumed airplane.

## Other investigations on N8533L (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA70FLA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70FLA26), May 21, 1970: Piper PA-25 (N8533L), Molino, FL, substantial damage

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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