# NTSB FTW85FQG02: Piper PA-28-140, N7401R, Big Spring, TX, August 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1985, 20:35 local (Aug 24, 1985, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Big Spring, TX
- Coordinates: 32.23973, -101.470474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2397&lon=-101.4705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FQG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FQG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,muffler - disconnected (cause)
  - exhaust system,stack - not engaged (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT COCKPIT/CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT & PASSG SMELLED AN ODOR OF ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING AND SAW FIRE AT THE FIREWALL NEAR THE RUDDER PEDALS. THE ACFT WAS TURNED 180 DEGREES AND LANDED ON RWY 35. THE 2 OCCUPANTS IMMEDIATELY EGRESSED. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE ENG LEFT EXHAUST STACK, PN 63726-O2, WHICH SHOULD BE INSERTED INTO THE MUFFLER ASSEM, PN 66704-00 AND SECURED WITH CLAMP ASSEM, PN 65442-03 WAS DISPLACED AWAY FROM THE END OF THE MUFFLER ALLOWING HOT GASES TO BE DIRECTED ONTO THE FIREWALL IN THE AREA OF THE STARTER SOLENOID AND BRAKE RESERVOIR. THE SECURING CLAMP ASSEM WAS PRESENT ON THE MUFFLER WITH THE NUT INSTALLED AND CLAMP FLUSH WITH THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER OF THE MUFFLER EXTENSION. THE LOCATER PIN WAS EXTENDING THRU THE MUFFLER EXTENSION. THE EXHAUST STACK HAD THE LOCATOR HOLD AND INSPECTION DID NOT SHOW THAT THE PIN WAS WORN OR SHEARED TO ALLOW DISENGAGEMENT. FIRE DAMAGED THE ACFT FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE BAGGAGE/REAR AERA. FLUID FROM THE MELTED BRAKE RESERVOIR APPEARED TO ADD TO THE FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7401R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7401R-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 28-25002, built 1968 (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: 28-25002
- Airframe hours: 4017
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Jack H. Romans
- Registered owner: C. Ray Owsley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1985, 25 hours before
- Destination: E02, ODESSA, TX
- Airport: 21XS, Big Spring, runway 35, 8,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,380 total, 49 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °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 19850823040319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850823040319A), Aug 23, 1985: Piper PA28140, Big Spring, TX, Destroyed. Returned upon noticing smoke and flames in cockpit. Found exhaust stack displaced directing exhaust on firewall.

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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