# NTSB MIA88LA126: Piper PA-22-108, N5611Z, Dorado, PR, March 14, 1988 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1988, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Dorado, PR - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 32150 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32150/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA126 ## Probable cause WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT IN NORMAL CRUISE AT AN ALT OF 1000 FT APRX 2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE ARPT, THE ENG BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A CLEARING. THE PLT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENG WAS LOSING PWR AND THT A/C COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT. DURING TH ELNDG ROLL THE NOSE GEAR BROKE OFF AFTER HITTING A SMALL RISE IN TERRAIN. THE A/C NOSED OVER & CAME TO REST. POST-CRASH INSP REVEALED THAT THE MUFFLER HAD SEVERAL PIN SIZE RUST HOLES WHICH PERMITTED THE EXHAUST TO BURN THROUGH THE SHROUD AND MELT THE LT MAGNETO WIRING HARNESS INSULATION, VOLTAGE REGULATOR WIRING AND BATTERY WIRES FROM THE GENERATOR. AFTER REPLACING THE MAGNETO WIRING HARNESS AN ENG RUNUP WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED. THE MUFFLER SHROUD WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM RATHER THAN STAINLESS STEEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - exhaust system,muffler - deteriorated (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, fbo personnel (cause) - exhaust system,muffler - unapproved part (cause) - exhaust system,muffler - melted - ignition system,ignition harness - melted (contributing factor) - electrical system,electric wiring - melted - ignition system - erratic - Forced landing, descent - emergency - fuselage,cabin - smoke (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT IN NORMAL CRUISE AT AN ALT OF 1000 FT APRX 2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE ARPT, THE ENG BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A CLEARING. THE PLT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENG WAS LOSING PWR AND THAT A/C COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT. DURING THE LNDG ROLL THE NOSE GEAR BROKE OFF AFTER HITTING A SMALL RISE IN TERRAIN. THE A/C NOSED OVER & CAME TO REST. POST-CRASH INSP REVEALED THAT THE MUFFLER HAD SEVERAL PIN SIZE RUST HOLES WHICH PERMITTED THE EXHAUST TO BURN THROUGH THE SHROUD AND MELT THE LT MAGNETO WIRING HARNESS INSULATION, VOLTAGE REGULATOR WIRING AND BATTERY WIRES FROM THE GENERATOR. AFTER REPLACING THE MAGNETO WIRING HARNESS AN ENG RUNUP WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED. THE MUFFLER SHROUD WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM RATHER THAN STAINLESS STEEL. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5611Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5611Z-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 22-9384, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-9384 - Airframe hours: 3675 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William J. Norris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1988, 15 hours before - Departed: ABO, ARECIBO, PR - Airport: PR02, Dorado ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 100 total, 14 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SJU, 33 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 19880314005289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880314005289A), Mar 14, 1988: Piper PA22108, Dorado, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Pin holes in muffler burned holes through shroud which melted magneto wires,caused loss of power. Crashed in field. ## Other investigations on N5611Z (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA68D0217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0217), Oct 14, 1967: Piper PA-22 (N5611Z), San Juan, PR, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.