# NTSB MIA92IA075: Piper PA-28-180, N7909W, Destin, FL, February 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1992, 11:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Destin, FL
- Coordinates: 30.399024, -86.489837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3990&lon=-86.4898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92IA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92IA075

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STARTED THE ENG & LEFT THE AUX FUEL BOOST PUMP ON. WHILE TAXIING TO TAKE OFF, THE ENG QUIT.  THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG BUT OBSERVED FLAMES FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENG COWLING.  THE PLT & PAX EXITED THE ACFT BUT THE PLT LEFT THE MASTER & AUXILIARY FUEL BOOST PUMP SWITCHES ON, WHICH CONTINUED TO FEED FUEL TO THE FIRE.  THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AFTER THE MASTER SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF & CHEMICAL APPLIED TO THE FIRE. ACCORDING TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO EXAMINED THE ACFT, IN HIS OPINION, THE PLT FLOODED THE ENG WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART IT, & DUE TO THE EXCESS FUEL, THE ENG BACKFIRED & THE EXCESS FUEL CAUGHT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7909W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7909W), registered now, S/N 28-1942, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1942
- Airframe hours: 2914
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barbree, B.J. & Michelle
- Registered owner: Barbree, B.J. & Michelle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1992, 5 hours before
- Airport: 81J, Destin-Fort Walton Beach

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 793 total, 90 in this make and model, 694 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19920201001609I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920201001609I), Feb 1, 1992: Piper PA28180, Destin, FL, Minor damage. Flooded engine trying restart engine on taxi to runway. Had left boost pump on. Backfire caused carburetor fire.

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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