# NTSB MIA88LA033: Piper PA-23-250, N5086Y, Miami, FL, November 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1987, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.910186, -80.269401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9102&lon=-80.2694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, standing - engine(s) operating
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE LEFT ENGINE HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND SAW FLAME SPREADING FROM THE ACCESSORY AREA OF THE LEFT ENGINE TOWARD THE LEFT WING TIP AND THE CABIN. HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE BY TURNING OFF THE MAGNETOS AND HE AND HIS PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. THE LEFT WING AND CABIN THEN BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAME. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE IN THE ACCESSORY AREA OF THE LEFT ENGINE AND THE FUEL AND HYDRAULIC LINES IN THIS AREA TO HAVE BEEN BURNED TO ALMOST DESTRUCTION. ADDITIONALLY THE FUEL CAPS IN BOTH WINGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN WRAPPED WITH RAGS WHICH THE PLT STATED WAS TO PREVENT THEM FROM LEAKING. THE PLT STATED THE LOGBOOKS WERE IN THE AIRCRAFT AND BURNED AND THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER WHO DID THE LAST INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5086Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5086Y-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 272106 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 272106
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A105 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Munim, Mary Ellen
- Registered owner: Mary Ellen Munim
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1987
- Airport: OPF, Opa Locka

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,311 total, 478 in this make and model, 1,058 as pilot in command, 385 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF

## 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 19871110063459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871110063459A), Nov 10, 1987: Piper PA23250, Miami, FL, Destroyed. Left engine caught on fire during engine startup. Found each fuel cap was wrapped with a rag to prevent leaking.

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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