# NTSB MKC88FA005: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39922, Lincoln, NE, October 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, NE
- Location: 40.8000° N, 96.6670° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lincoln, NE, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8000&lon=-96.6670&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,gasket - other (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - other (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - cracked (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - separation (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - fire (cause)
  - ignition system,high tension wiring - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
  - object - residence
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CLIMBOUT, SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE CABIN AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENG STOPPED. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENG COMPARTMENT JUST BEFORE THE ACFT IMPACTED A LARGE WOODPILE BEHIND A HOUSE LOCATED 1/2 MILE EAST OF THE ARPT. EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE (90 DEGREE ELBOW) HAD SEPARATED FROM THE EXHAUST CROSSOVER TUBE LEADING TO THE TURBOCHARGER AND ALLOWED INTENSE, HOT EXHAUST GASES FLOWING FROM THE ELBOW TO SPEW DIRECTLY INTO THE ENG COMPARTMENT. THE FLANGE AT THE OTHER END OF THE ELBOW WAS CRACKED AND EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE GASKET, AS WELL AS THE FLANGES, HAD BEEN MISALLIGNED. A REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39922](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39922-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 32R7887168 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7887168
- Airframe hours: 1516
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Lange Partnership
- Registered owner: Lance Partnership
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 9, 1987, 13 hours before
- Departed: LNK
- Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNK, 1 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 19871013059539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871013059539A), Oct 13, 1987: Piper PA32RT300T, Lincoln, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Exhaust collector flange came off on climbout. Smoke in cabin. Heat burned mag wires. Crashed in a residental area.

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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