# NTSB MIA83FA216: Piper PA-28-161, N30533, Marathon, FL, August 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1983, 11:37 local (15:37 UTC)
- Place: Marathon, FL
- Coordinates: 24.710746, -81.07901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7107&lon=-81.0790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA216

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING DUE TO A CABIN FIRE. THE LANDING OCCURRED JUST SHORT OF THE RWY AT MARATHON ARPT, FL. THE PLT HAD DEPARTED THIS ARPT ABOUT 30 MINUTES EARLIER ON THE 2ND LEG OF A STUDENT X-COUNTRY FLT.THE DEPARTURE WAS AT ABOUT 1105 EDT. AT 1130 WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT APPROACHING THE ARPT WITH FLAMES AND SMOKE VISIBLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE ACFT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID THAT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF HE SMELLED SOMETHING AND TURNED AROUND TO SEE THE CABIN ON FIRE. A REVIEW OF THE ACFT LOG SHOWS THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED ON8/2/83. A POST ACCIDENT TEST OF THE ALTERNATOR SHOWED ITS PERFORMANCE WITHIN LIMITS. FUEL LINES IN THE CABIN AND THE FUEL SELECTOR ALONG WITH THE REMAINING D.C. ELECTRICAL HARNESSES WERE SENT TO THE NTSB LAB FOR EXAMINATION. THE LAB FOUND EVIDENCE THAT AN ALUMINUM CABLE WAS INTERNALLY HEATED MOST LIKELY FROM EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT. DUE TO THE FIRE OTHER COCKPIT EVIDENCE WAS DESTROYED. BASED UPON STATEMENTS THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE REAR OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30533 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916087
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-320-D3 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kitty Hawk Flight School
- Registered owner: Walter Reviere Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 1983
- Destination: FLL, FL. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MTH, Marathon, runway 25, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 31 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 19830830045069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830830045069A), Aug 30, 1983: Piper PA28161, Marathon, FL, Destroyed. Fire erupted in rear of cabin shortly after takeoff. Crashlanded short of the runway. Possible electrical short.

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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