# NTSB FTW89LA097: Piper PA-24-250, N5874P, Decatur, TX, May 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, TX
- Coordinates: 33.229694, -97.590225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2297&lon=-97.5902&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 January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA097

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BY THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL DURING THE LATEST ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,muffler - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - exhaust system,muffler - smoke (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,muffler - overtemperature (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HEATER MUFF FAILED, RESULTING IN EXTREME HEAT AND SMOKE UNDER THE COWLING, AND LOTS OF SMOKE IN THE CABIN. NEXT CAME A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE AIRPLANE ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY FOR THE FORCED LANDING. AFTER THE HARD LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED 10 OPERATING HOUSE BEFORE THE ACDT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5874P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5874P-1992-09-29), registration cancelled 1992-09-29, S/N 24958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-958
- Airframe hours: 2411
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frazier, David R., doing business as 2720 Overland Drive
- Registered owner: Steffen, Thomas E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: 8F7, DECATUR, TX
- Airport: 8F7, Decatur Municipal, runway 17, 2,550 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,295 total, 23 in this make and model, 2,268 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19890520012139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890520012139A), May 20, 1989: Piper PA24250, Decatur, TX, Substantial damage. Smoke and heat in cabin on takeoff. Engine quit. Made hard forced landing. Heater muff failed 10 hrs after annual.

## Other investigations on N5874P (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 MKC77DTK35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77DTK35), Aug 3, 1977: Piper PA-24 (N5874P), Firesteel, SD, 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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