# NTSB NYC93LA060: Piper PA-28-161, N233PA, Danbury, CT, February 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1993, 19:20 local (Feb 3, 1993, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Danbury, CT
- Location: 41.3715° N, 73.4822° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DANBURY MUNI (DXR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3715&lon=-73.4822&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA060

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR AN ENGINE FIRE DURING STARTING WHICH RESULTED IN THE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING.  THE PILOT PRIMED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE.  IT RAN FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN STOPPED.  HE PRIMED IT SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND THEN ATTEMPTED ANOTHER START.  AGAIN THE ENGINE STARTED AND THEN STOPPED.  HE THEN NOTICED A GLOW ON THE GROUND AND EVACUATED THE PASSENGERS WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE ENGINE, HOWEVER THE FLAMES SPREAD, AND THE PILOT EVACUATED THE AIRPLANE.  THE MASTER SWITCH, ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, MIXTURE CONTROL AND THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WERE LEFT ON.  ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL, PRIMING IS USED ONLY AFTER THE INITIAL START ATTEMPT.  IN ADDITION, IF A FIRE OCCURS DURING START, THE MANUAL SAY TO SHUT OFF THE MIXTURE AND FUEL SELECTOR. THE PILOT HAD 90 HOURS TOTAL TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N233PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N233PA-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 28-7816676, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816676
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blue Bird Aviation
- Registered owner: Blue Bird Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DXR
- Destination: DXR
- Airport: DXR, Danbury Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 40 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DXR, 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 19930202004309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930202004309A), Feb 2, 1993: Piper PA28161, Danbury, CT, Substantial damage. Engine fire erupted on cold weather starting. Had over primed. Failed on turn off boost pump and fuel cut off. (.4) this was the first flight of the day and…

## Other investigations on N233PA (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 NYC05FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05FA005), Oct 11, 2004: Piper PA-28-161 (N233PA), Madison, CT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to separation of the propeller due to under-torqued retention bolts.

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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