# NTSB NYC85LA199: Piper PA-28-151, N32741, Lawrence, MA, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1985, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Lawrence, MA
- Location: 42.7170° N, 71.1235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAWRENCE MUNI (LWM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7170&lon=-71.1235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA199

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,carburetor - fire (contributing factor)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER REFUELING THE ACFT, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG WITH THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN AND THE MIXTURE AT IDLE CUT OFF. THE INSTRUCTOR THOUGHT THE ENG WAS VAPOR LOCKED AND WAS GOING TO DRAIN THE GASCOLATOR WHEN HE NOTICED A FIRE IN THE CARBURETOR AIRBOX. THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BY CRANKING THE ENG WITH THE FUEL OFF. A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS THEN USED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD BUT WAS NOT EXTINGUISHED DUE TO THE LOCATION. WHEN THE EXTINGUISHER WAS EXHAUSTED, THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE ACFT INTERIOR. THE NORTH ANDOVER FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. LAWRENCE MUNICIPAL ARPT DID NOT HAVE FIRE QUIPMENT AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N32741 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287515229
- Airframe hours: 3186
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul F. Dinoto
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1985, 86 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LWM, Lawrence Muni.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19850729035079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850729035079A), Jul 29, 1985: Piper PA28151, Lawrence, MA, Substantial damage. Carburetor fire during hot start attempt. Depleted aircraft extinguisher. Fueler did not have extinguisher.

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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