# NTSB MIA94LA091: Piper PA-28-235, N8938W, Sebring, FL, March 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1994, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, FL
- Coordinates: 27.489582, -81.450523 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4896&lon=-81.4505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA091

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MUFFLER IN FLIGHT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, ALLOWING HOT EXHAUST GASSES TO IMPINGE ON THE CARBURETOR IGNITING THE FUEL AND THE SUBSEQUENT FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,muffler - burst (cause)
- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - fire
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

ON INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAMES NEAR THE ENGINE AREA, ALONG WITH A LOSS OF POWER. HE TURNED BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AREA REVEALED THAT THE MUFFLER HAD BURST, AND ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASSES TO IMPINGE ON THE CARBURETOR.

## Factual narrative

On March 12, 1994, about 1100 eastern standard time, N8938W, a Piper PA-28-235, registered to Horton Drilling Company, experienced an in-flight fire on takeoff from Sebring Airport, Sebring, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that after takeoff about 800 feet agl the engine failed and smoke and flames were observed from the firewall area.  He turned back to the airport, landed, and evacuated the airplane.  Local fire departments arrived and extinguished the fire after it consumed a major portion of the airplane.

FAA investigators examined the aircraft and found a hole in the aft portion of the muffler.  The location of the hole would allow hot exhaust gases to leak directly on to the carburetor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8938W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8938W-1995-11-29), registration cancelled 1995-11-29, S/N 2810505 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10505
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Horton Well Drilling
- Registered owner: Horton, Harold C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1993, 30 hours before
- Airport: SEF, Sebring Airport, runway 14, 5,000 × 300 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 628 total, 300 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19940312004999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940312004999A), Mar 12, 1994: Piper PA28235, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. On climbout engine failed. Smoke from firewall. Turned back. Landed. Fire burned most of aircraft. Hole in muffler.

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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