# NTSB FTW85LA156: Piper PA-23-150, N2154P, Justin, TX, March 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1985, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Justin, TX
- Coordinates: 33.080047, -97.290573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0800&lon=-97.2906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - engine assembly - fire (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - performed, ground personnel
- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS A MULT-ENGINE FLT CHECK GIVEN BY A DESIGNATED EXAMINER TO THE COMMERCIAL PLT. ACCORDING TO THE EXAMINER THE RIGHT ENG, WHICH WAS STILL HOT FROM THE PREVIOUS FLT, WOULD NOT START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL START OF THE LEFT ENG THE APPLICANT AGAIN TRIED TO START THE RIGHT ENG WHEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM BENEATH THE RIGHT NACELLE. COCKPIT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND EXTINGUISHING EFFORTS BY GROUND PERSONNEL FAILED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE EXAMINER OPENED THE DOOR AND INITIATED EVACUATION OF THE CABIN. BOTH CREWMEMBERS SAFELY ABANDONED THE ACFT WITHOUT SECURING THE LEFT ENG. THE BURNING ACFT TAXIED OUT OF CONTROL INTO A PARKED AG ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2154P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2154P), registered now, S/N 23-756, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-150) (registry code 7102303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-150
- Airframe hours: 6800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: L. E. Clark
- Registered owner: L. E. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984, 70 hours before
- Airport: 3TX6, Clark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 221 total, 3 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F

## 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 19850319009559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850319009559A), Mar 19, 1985: Piper PA23, Justin, TX, Destroyed. Engine fire with hot start. Abandoned aircraft with other engine running. Taxied unoccupied into parked aircraft.

## Other investigations on N2154P (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 UNK64X2533](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2533), Jun 28, 1964: Piper PA23 (N2154P), Ft Worth, TX, 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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