# NTSB LAX86LA020: Piper PA28-181, N2491Y, Palo Alto, CA, October 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1985, 17:40 local (Oct 21, 1985, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450695, -122.100448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4507&lon=-122.1004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, taxi - from landing
  - fuel system,carburetor - other (contributing factor)
  - starting procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT AFTER LANDING AND TURNING ONTO THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY, THE ENGINE QUIT. DURING AN ATTEMPTED RE-START, FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGER EVACUATED THE ACFT, AND ARPT PERSONNEL PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR WHO REPORTED NO EVIDENCE OF BROKEN, DISCONNECTED OR LEAKING FLUID LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2491Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2491Y-1991-01-31), registration cancelled 1991-01-31, S/N 288590078 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8590078
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce V. Canton
- Registered owner: Knolan Distributers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19851020059829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851020059829A), Oct 20, 1985: Piper PA28181, Palo Alto, CA, Minor damage. Engine quit during taxi after landing. Engine caught fire during attempted restart.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.