# NTSB LAX85LA296: Piper PA-28-236, N8253C, Ajo, AZ, June 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1985, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Ajo, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.240207, -112.650657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2402&lon=-112.6507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA296

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE FOR A PLANNED AIR TAXI FLIGHT UNDER CONDITIONS INCLUDING AN OUTSIDE AIR TEMP OF 118 DEGS F, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OCCUPANTS SAFETY EVACUATED THE ACFT & HAD TO WALK 1/4 OF A MILE TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE. 15 MIN LATER FIRE TRUCKS FROM THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED ON SCENE & EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ACFT WAS VIRTUALLY COMSUMED BY THE FIRE, & THE FUEL FED FIRE'S POINT OF ORIGIN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS NOT ASCERTAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8253C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288311001
- Airframe hours: 641
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Hudgin Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 20, 1985, 10 hours before
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PO1, Ajo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,222 total, 50 in this make and model, 6,763 as pilot in command, 167 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 118 °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 19850627028279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850627028279A), Jun 27, 1985: Piper PA28236, Ajo, AZ, Destroyed. Over priming during starting procedures on a hot day resulted in an engine fire which consumed the airplane.

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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