# NTSB FTW87FA054: Piper PA-22-135, N3554A, Floresville, TX, February 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1987, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Floresville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.130907, -98.150291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1309&lon=-98.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA054

## 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,muffler - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT HEARD A SUDDEN CHANGE IN ENGINE SOUNDS DURING FLIGHT AND REALIZED HIS MUFFLER HAD FAILED. HE WAS FLYING ABOUT 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND INITIATED A DESCENT TO 250 FEET. HEAT AND FLAMES STARTED ENTERING THE COCKPIT THROUGH THE CABIN HEAT INLET DUCT. HE THEN MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SOFT SANDY PASTURE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE NOSE GEAR STRUT SEPARATED JUST ABOVE THE WHEEL AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED. IT WAS QUICKLY CONSUMED BY FIRE. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER ESCAPED WITH SERIOUS AND MINOR BURN INJURIES RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3554A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1828
- Airframe hours: 2290
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wwilliam A. Wyatt,Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1986, 25 hours before
- Departed: T98, SAN MARCOS, TX
- Destination: 7T9, FLORESVILLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 67 in this make and model, 46 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 35 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 19870203001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870203001579A), Feb 3, 1987: Piper PA22135, Floresville, TX, Destroyed. The pilot noted flames in the cabin and executed an emergency landing. Used muffler had been installed and cracked.

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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