# NTSB FTW87FA225: Piper PA-28-235, N9296W, Houston, TX, September 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1987, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA225

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,muffler - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - exhaust system,muffler - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING INTO TREES AFTER HE EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT FIRE AND ENG FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER T/O. THE LNDG IN THE TREES WAS EXECUTED AFTER THE PLT DECIDED THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO A CLEAR AREA. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FIRE HAD INITIATED IN THE AREA OF THE MUFFLER AND CARBURETOR. EXAMINATION OF THE MUFFLER REVEALED THAT IT HAD WRINKLED AND CRACKED AS A RESULT OF SEVERE OXIDATION AND NORMAL HEAT EXPANSION. ANALYSIS OF THE EXHAUST DEPOSITS ON THE CRACK SURFACES AND THE EXTERIOR SKIN OF THE MUFFLER INDICATED THAT THE MUFFLER HAD BEEN CRACKED FOR SOME TIME PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL 278 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE 3 YRS PRIOR TO THE LAST INSPECTION. THERE WERE NO RECORDS SHOWING WHERE THE MUFFLER HAD EVER BEEN OVERHAULED OR REPLACED DURING THE ACFT'S 2,650 HR HISTORY. MFGR RECOMMENDS MUFFLER REPLACEMENT EVERY 1,000 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9296W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9296W-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 28-10973, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10973
- Airframe hours: 4345
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Perdue
- Registered owner: James C. Perdue
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1987, 278 hours before
- Departed: T86
- Destination: AAP
- Airport: T86, West Houston, runway 15, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 507 total, 233 in this make and model, 453 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DWH, 25 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 19870927083189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870927083189A), Sep 27, 1987: Piper PA28235, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Engine fire on climbout. Stalled into trees and burned. Muffler oxidized cracked and wrinkled caused fire.

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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