# NTSB MKC89LA020: Piper PA-28-235, N9246W, Leon, IA, November 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1988, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Leon, IA
- Coordinates: 40.739974, -93.75032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7400&lon=-93.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - exhaust system,muffler - leak (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Fire, landing - roll
  - engine compartment - fire (contributing factor)
  - fire extinguisher - inadequate

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING ABOUT 3000 FEET AGL DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT, THE ENGINE HAD A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE. A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LDG WAS MADE ON A FARM HAY FIELD WITH NO DAMAGE INCURRED. SHORTLY AFTER THE LDG, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE HAD ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ATTEMPTS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE BEFORE THE LOCAL FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BURNED-THROUGH AREA ON THE EXHAUST MUFFLER NEAR THE CARBURETOR. THE HEAT FROM THE BURNED-THROUGH AREA WAS DIRECTED ON THE CARBURETOR CAUSING FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9246W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9246W-1990-07-09), registration cancelled 1990-07-09, S/N 2810916 (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: 28-10916
- Airframe hours: 1886
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Miller, Loring
- Registered owner: Miller, Loring V
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1988, 126 hours before
- Departed: VER, BOONVILLE, MO
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 464 total, 273 in this make and model, 327 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 50 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 19881106049729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881106049729A), Nov 6, 1988: Piper PA28235, Leon, IA, Minor damage. Forced landing in field due to engine failure. Hot gas from muffler leak caused carburetor seals to dry out.

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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