# NTSB MKC86LA154: Piper PA-23-250T, N62719, Norfolk, NE, July 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1986, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, NE
- Coordinates: 42.029304, -97.409095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0293&lon=-97.4091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,line - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

A FIRE STARTED INFLIGHT IN THE LEFT WHEEL WELL AND NACELLE AREA JUST AFTER THE PILOT TURNED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS DURING THE TURN TO FINAL APPROACH. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED AND THE PILOT EVACUATED SAFELY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE ON A LEVEL PLANE WHEN THE PILOT EVACUATED THE AIRPLANE BUT LATER AFTER THE FIRE PROGRESSED, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED WHEN THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AREA AND THE LEFT MAIN SPAR. AFTERWARD, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR APPEARED TO BE COLLAPSED FROM THE FIRE. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE WAS FOUND NEAR THE LEFT ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP. A METALLURGIST STATED THE FRACTURE HAD NOT ORIGINATED DURING THE TIGHTENING PROCESS AND THE GEOMETRY OF THE SEPARATED SURFACES WAS TYPICAL OF BENDING LOADS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62719](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62719-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 27-7654173, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 27-7654173
- Airframe hours: 1820
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-540-C1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alan D. Dale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1985
- Departed: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Airport: OFK, Karl Stefan, runway 19, 5,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 885 total, 735 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 18 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °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 19860722035439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860722035439A), Jul 22, 1986: Piper PA23250, Norfolk, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot reported explosion and fire in left engine while turning to final. Landed safely. Found broken fuel line.

## Other investigations on N62719 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC77FGT08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FGT08), Jan 28, 1977: Piper PA-23 (N62719), Lock Haven, PA, substantial damage

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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