# NTSB MIA86IA001: Piper PA-32-300, N8614N, Jacksonville, FL, October 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1985, 09:06 local (13:06 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Location: 30.3322° N, 81.6557° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jacksonville, FL, within about 15 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3322&lon=-81.6557&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86IA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86IA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - cooling system,cowling - fire
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND VISIBLE SMOKE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD EXHAUST DUCTS. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN POWER AND RETURN TO THE AIRPORT FOR A NORMAL LANDING. POST LANDING INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED AN EXHAUST PIPE HAD CRACKED AND CAUSED THE LOWER ENGINE COWLING TO CATCH FIRE JUST FORWARD OF THE ENGIN AIR INTAKE. THE EXHAIST HAD CRACKED WHERE A PREVIOUS REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE DUE TO A PREVIOUS CRACK. THE REPAIR WAS IMPROPER DUE TO THE WELD NOT FULLY PENETRATING THE CRACKED METAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8614N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8614N), registered now, S/N 32-7140006, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7140006
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Chapman Air,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 10, 1985, 44 hours before
- Departed: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,060 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 7,970 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19851004074059I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851004074059I), Oct 4, 1985: Piper PA32300, Jacksonville, FL, Minor damage. Exhaust pipe failed at site of poor weld repair. This started an inflight fire but aircraft landed safely.

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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