# NTSB MIA88DL001: Falcon Special S/R, N82RC, Lakeland, FL, April 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1988, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Location: 27.9876° N, 82.0190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKELAND LINDER INTL (LAL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9876&lon=-82.0190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31982
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88DL001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31982/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88DL001

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,electric switch - not switched (cause)
  - fluid,oil - fire (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment(carbon monoxide), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN IN FLIGHT FIRE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHILE PERFORMING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS AT AN AIRSHOW. THE AIRCRAFT IS EQUIPPED WITH A PUMP THAT INJECTS OIL INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO PRODUCE A VISIBLE SMOKE TRAIL WHEN VAPORIZED BY THE EXHAUST GASES. THE PILOT FAILED TO TURN THE PUMP OFF WHILE DOING AN INVERTED SPIN. HE ATTRIBUTED THE FIRE TO THE IGNITION OF SMOKE OIL THAT HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AT THE LOW POWER SETTINGS USED IN THE INVERTED SPIN. THE FIRE WAS VISIBLE STREAMING FROM THE ENGINE BACK TO THE EMPENNAGE. THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE AFT LOWER FUSELAGE FABRIC WAS BURNED AWAY. THE PILOT HAD A BRIEF GLIMPSE OF THE RUNWAY BEFORE TURNING OFF THE FUEL AND ATTEMPTING TO LAND. HE THOUGHT HE PASSED OUT BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82RC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82RC), registered now, S/N 0-540-2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FALCON SPECIAL S/R
- Registry model: [Cox Rondal R FALCON SPECIAL S1R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cox-rondal-r-falcon-special-s1r) (registry code 05658UG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: O-540-2
- Airframe hours: 160
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Rondal R. Cox
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1988, 5 hours before
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 748 total, 160 in this make and model, 692 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL

## 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 19880410036529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880410036529A), Apr 10, 1988: Amtrpt PITTSSPECSR, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Fire erupted in exhaust system in an inverted spin due to pooling of smoke oil and ignited. Smoke obscured landing.

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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