# NTSB MIA89LA200: Piper PA-32-300, N999MA, Luquillo, PR, July 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1989, 07:12 local (11:12 UTC)
- Place: Luquillo, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA200

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE LEFT EXHAUST STACK WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FIRE, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND SUBSEQUENT DITCHING OF THE ACFT IN OCEAN WATERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,stack - failure,total (cause)
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG FLT OVER THE OCEAN, HE SMELLED AN ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO GLIDE THE ACFT TO ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM SHORE, THEN HE DITCHED IT IN THE OCEAN. LATER, THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT EXHAUST STACK HAD FAILED & THE ESCAPING EXHAUST GASES HAD RESULTED IN AN ENG COMPARTMENT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N999MA-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 32-40854, 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: 32-40854
- Airframe hours: 3589
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Vincent
- Registered owner: Vincent Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1988, 60 hours before
- Departed: 2JU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: STT, ST. THOMAS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,700 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 10 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 19890716063459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890716063459A), Jul 16, 1989: Piper PA32300, Luquillo, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Smoke in cabin and engine quit. Ditched in ocean. Lower exhaust stack failed. Exhaust gasses burned engine parts.

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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