# NTSB LAX83FA035: Piper 601P, N3642A, Tonopah, NV, November 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1982, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Tonopah, NV
- Coordinates: 38.36026, -116.259056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3603&lon=-116.2591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system - fire (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fumes
  - initiated, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - wing,skin - penetrated
  - fluid,fuel - leak
- Fire, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - wing - fire

## Analysis

AS THE ACFT REACHED 15,500 FT, APRX 30 MI FROM THE DEP ARPT, THE PLT & PAX NOTED FUMES THAT IRRITATED THE EYES & CAUSED DIZZINESS & BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. THE PLT REVERSED COURSE, THEN ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERG LNDG ON A DIRT ROAD. DRG THE LNDG ROLL-OUT, THE LEFT WING STRUCK 1 OR MORE METAL POSTS. WHEN THE PLT & PAX EVACUATED THRU THE PLT'S DOOR, FLAMES WERE OBSVD EMINATING FORM THE AFT PORTION OF THE LFT WING & THE LFT MAIN TIRE & WHL WERE BURNING. THE FIRE HAD SELF-EXTINGUISHED PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF EMERG EQUIPMENT. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED SVRL BURNED ELEC WIRES UNDER THE LWR LFT INST PANEL. THE BURNED WIRES WERE CNCTD THE STROBE LGT, SFC DE-ICER & WINDSHIELD HEAT OR PROP DE-ICE SWS, AS WELL AS 3 UNUSED WIRES. THE SOURCE OF THE ELEC FIRE WAS NOT DTRMD. NO DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE BURNED WIRING IN THE COCKPIT AND THE FIRE ON THE LEFT WING & GEAR. A DENT WITH CHORDWISE GASHES WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT WING. FUEL STAINS SURROUNDED THE GASHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3642A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3642A-1995-05-15), registration cancelled 1995-05-15, S/N 61P08238063432 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-08288063
- Airframe hours: 258
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-P1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James E. Jenkins
- Registered owner: David M. Keller
- Departed: TPH, TONOPAH, NV
- Destination: 004, CARSON CITY, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Temperature: 111 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPH, 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 19821117059109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821117059109A), Nov 17, 1982: Piper PA60601P, Tonopah, NV, Substantial damage. Fumes in cockpit from shorted wires. Landed on a road. Posts gashed wing fuel tank. Leaking fuel caused ground fire.

## Other investigations on N3642A (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 BFO94FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94FA163), Aug 15, 1994: Piper PA-601P (N3642A), Sea Isle City, NJ, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident were the presence of a level 6 thunderstorm, loss of gyro's for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's poor…

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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