# NTSB FTW84LA141: Piper PA-28-140, N15043, Bastrop, TX, February 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1984, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Bastrop, TX
- Coordinates: 30.109212, -97.299514 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1092&lon=-97.2995&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
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 70-16-05](https://openairdocs.org/ad/70-16-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,baffle - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - leak (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - burned (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,ignition lead - burned (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PLT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DEFROST VENT. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE MUFFLER AND THE HOT GASES MELTED A ROCKER BOX OIL DRAIN LINE. THE OIL IGNITED AND BURNED THE MAGNETO 'P' LEAD WIRES WHICH CAUSED A TOTALENGINE FAILURE. PIPER AD 70-16-05 ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM IN EARLIER MODEL ACFT. AN ATTEMPT IS BEING MADE BY FAA TO INCLUDE LATER MODEL ACFT IN THE AD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15043](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15043-2011-06-01), registration cancelled 2011-06-01, S/N 28-7225565, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225565
- Airframe hours: 3242
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Evrand
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 4, 1983, 42 hours before
- Departed: F13, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: PEZ, PLEASANTON, TX
- Airport: runway 6

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 60 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 30 nm away

## 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 19840220003909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840220003909A), Feb 20, 1984: Piper PA28140, Bastrop, TX, Substantial damage. Engine fire in flight. Crack in exhaust pipe. Gases burned oil line and mag leads. Muffler baffle blocked exhaust.

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.