# NTSB FTW88FA007: Piper PA-32-260, N3903W, Houston, TX, October 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1987, 08:45 local (13:45 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: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,stack - failure,total (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - overtemperature (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEVELOPED A FIRE IN THE ENG AREA DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER THE PLT ATTEMPTED A LNDG IN A SMALL PARK. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN JUST SHORT OF A DRAINAGE DITCH AND COLLIDED WITH THE SLOPING EMBANKMENT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE DITCH. POST ACC INSPECTION REVEALED A FAILED EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO START A FIRE. THE EXHAUST PIPE FAILED FROM EXTENSIVE CORROSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3903W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3903W-1992-04-06), registration cancelled 1992-04-06, S/N 32849 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32849
- Airframe hours: 5147
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald J. Laine, Jr.
- Registered owner: Laine, Donald J., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1987
- Departed: AAP, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: T03, GENOA, TX
- Airport: AAP, Andrau

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 17 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 19871016082119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871016082119A), Oct 16, 1987: Piper PA32260, Houston, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine fire in flight. Stalled and crashed. Tail pipe broken off. Found in hangar. Hot exhaust caused inflight 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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