# NTSB LAX89LA101: Piper PA-28-181, N985BY, Novato, CA, January 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1989, 19:15 local (Jan 31, 1989, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Location: 38.0851° N, 122.5483° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Novato, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0851&lon=-122.5483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA101

## Probable cause

FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, landing - roll
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Fire, standing - engine(s) not operating

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OFF THE RUNWAY ONTO A TAXIWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART BUT THE ENGINE BACKFIRED. THE PILOT OBSERVED FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND POSITIONED THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO IDLE CUTOFF AND CONTINUED TO CRANK THE ENGINE. THE FLAMES CONTINUED TO GROW IN INTENSITY AND SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N985BY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N985BY-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 28-90021, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-90021
- Airframe hours: 1380
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Linscott, Joan B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1988, 81 hours before
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Airport: 056, Gnoss Field, runway 31, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,600 total, 175 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890130001639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890130001639A), Jan 30, 1989: Piper PA28181, Novato, CA, Destroyed. Turning off runway engine quit, tried to restart, engine backfired and caught fire. Unable to draw in fire. Burned.

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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