# NTSB MIA89LA019: Piper PA-23-250, N5237Y, San Juan, PR, October 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1988, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Explosion, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,tank - leak (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT NOTED AN EXPLOSION IN THE RIGHT WING DURING ENGINE START. HE STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN 'TOPPED OFF' PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. RESIDUE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE WING OUTSIDE THE FUEL CELLS AFTER THE EXPLOSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5237Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5237Y-1997-04-30), registration cancelled 1997-04-30, S/N 272291 (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: 27-2291
- Airframe hours: 10080
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Virgin Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 6, 1988, 14 hours before
- Destination: STT, ST THOMAS
- Airport: SJU, Luis Munoz Marin Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 40 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU

## 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 19881029048439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881029048439A), Oct 29, 1988: Piper PA23250, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. During engine start a explosion occurred in the right wing. No cause given. Pilot had pumped throttle prior start.

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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