# NTSB MIA85LA115: Piper PA-28-140, N44480, Pahokee, FL, March 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1985, 20:33 local (Mar 11, 1985, 01:33 UTC)
- Place: Pahokee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.810659, -80.660713 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8107&lon=-80.6607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31364
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31364/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, landing
  - electrical system - shorted (cause)
  - electrical system - smoke
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - fuselage,cargo compartment - fire (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE SMELLED SMOKE IN THE CABIN, HE LANDED & TAXIED TO THE RAMP AREA, THEN A FIRE ERUPTED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FIRE STARTED WHERE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURRED NEAR THE APU PLUG (IN THE AREA OF THE AFT BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44480](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44480-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 28-7425415, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287425415
- Airframe hours: 2620
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry L. Murray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1984, 83 hours before
- Departed: PHK
- Airport: PHK, Palm Beach County Glades, runway 17, 4,620 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 340 total, 340 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 30 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 19850310013949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850310013949A), Mar 10, 1985: Piper PA28140, Pahokee, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot smelled smoke and landed. Taxied to ramp area and aircraft caught fire. Electrical short in baggage area.

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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