# NTSB LAX84LA293: Piper PA-28-236, N81300, Concord, CA, April 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1984, 14:46 local (22:46 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Coordinates: 38.00008, -122.030792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0001&lon=-122.0308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA293

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - engine(s) operating
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - exceeded, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - leak (cause)
  - exhaust system,muffler - failure,partial (cause)
  - miscellaneous - fire

## Analysis

WHILE THE PLT WAS WAITING FOR A TAKEOFF CLEARANCE, TOWER PERSONNEL NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE ON FIRE. THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENG & EXITED THE ACFT. THE FIRE DEVELOPED, BUT WAS MAINLY CONFINED TO THE ENG COMPARTMENT. IT WAS PROMPTLY EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. AN EXAM REVEALED FUEL STAINS ON THE BELLY SKIN PANELS AFT OF THE FIREWALL & IN LINE WITH THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP, INDICATING A PRIOR FUEL LEAK. ALSO, AN INSPECTION OF THE MUFFLER REVEALED IT WAS BLOWN OPEN WHICH ALLOWED EXHAUST GAGES TO ENTER THE ENG COMPARTMENT. THE LAST INSPECTION OF THE ACFT WAS APRX 101 HRS PRIOR TO THE SUBJECT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81300 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8011047
- Airframe hours: 1102
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3ASD 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Navajo Aviation
- Registered owner: Dennis Prows
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: CCR, Buchanan Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCR

## 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 19840402056169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840402056169A), Apr 2, 1984: Piper PA28236, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Engine fire on runup. Engine had backfired. Blew out muffler. Exhaust gasses ignited by leaky boost pump.

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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