# NTSB LAX77FUM35: Piper PA-36, N44118, Niland, CA, August 9, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 9, 1977
- Place: Niland, CA · NILAND, CA
- Location: 33.2389° N, 115.5145° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Niland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2389&lon=-115.5145&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 2, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 146713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUM35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUM35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1844   77/8/9  NR.NILAND,CA          PIPER PA-36         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 38, 8563
        TIME - 0010                    N44118              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1500 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         NILAND,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - EXHAUST SYSTEM: MUFFLERS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS - SMOKE IN COCKPIT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  SMOKE IN COCKPIT
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -   48                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  100                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- EXHAUST MUFFLER CLAMP FAILED,ALLOWED EXHAUST TO BURN LOWER FIBER GLASS COWLING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44118](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44118-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 367460022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19770809022529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770809022529A), Aug 9, 1977: Piper PA36285, Niland, CA, Substantial damage. Exhaust muffler clamp failed,allowed exhaust to burn lower fiber glass cowling

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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