# NTSB MIA95LA069: Aerofab Lake LA-250, N14032, St. Augustine, FL, February 5, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1995, 19:30 local (Feb 5, 1995, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.889543, -81.309356 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8895&lon=-81.3094&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 May 18, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA069

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE TURBOCHARGER INLET PIPE SECURING CLAMP BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,clamp - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - separation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - burned (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil line - burned (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - fire (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BEFORE LANDING BACK ON THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRCRAFT THEY NOTICED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. POST CRASH EXAMINATION BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED A SECURING CLAMP ON THE TURBOCHARGER INLET PIPE WAS NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND THE INLET PIPE SEPARATED FROM THE TURBOCHARGER. THE ESCAPING EXHAUST BURNED THROUGH THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE AND THROUGH THE OIL LINES TO THE OIL COOLER.

## Factual narrative

On February 4, 1995, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Lake LA-4, registered to Phillip Adams, lost engine power and was landed gear up shortly after takeoff from St. Augustine Airport, St. Augustine, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that upon reaching an altitude of 100-125 feet after takeoff the engine stopped. Time did not allow him to extend the landing gear and he landed gear up on the remaining runway. After exiting the aircraft he determined that the engine was on fire.

Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector indicated a securing clamp and cable on the turbocharger inlet pipe was not properly adjusted. The inlet pipe separated from the turbocharger and the escaping exhaust burned through the main fuel line to the engine and through the oil lines to the oil cooler.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N14032 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROFAB INC. LAKE LA-250 (LAKE LA-25)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36
- Airframe hours: 1580
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-AA1AD 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Adams, Phillip F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1994, 149 hours before
- Departed: SGJ
- Destination: FD46, FROST PROOF, FL
- Airport: SGJ, St. Augustine, runway 31, 6,939 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,528 total, 2,407 in this make and model, 2,528 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 18 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 20 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 19950204001129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950204001129A), Feb 4, 1995: Conaer LA4, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Landed gear up on runway. Engine on fire. Turbocharger inlet pipe came off. Burned fuel line

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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