# NTSB SEA87IA084: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P, N90518, Las Vegas, NV, April 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1987, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.080112, -115.140853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0801&lon=-115.1409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87IA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87IA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system,clamp - loose (cause)
  - exhaust system - leak (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - overtemperature (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - inadequate (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, production/design personnel (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,other - fire (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed
  - propeller feathering - performed
  - precautionary landing - performed

## Analysis

APRX 422 FLT HRS BFR THE FLT, THE SMITH AEROSTAR 601P WAS MODIFIED IAW MACHEN STC SA980NW. DRG LEVEL OFF AT 16,500' MSL,BLISTERING & DISCOLORATION WERE NOTED ON THE #1 ENG NACELLE. THE PLT SHUT DOWN & FEATHERED THE #1 ENG, THEN RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AFTER LNDG, AN EXAM REVEALED AN IN-FLT FIRE HAD OCCURRED, WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR DMG OF THE ENG ACCESSORY SECTION. TWO EXHAUST CLAMPS WERE FOUND LOOSE AT THE EXHAUST STACK WASTE GATE CONNECTION. HOT GASES FROM THE LOOSE CONNECTION HAD ESCAPED & IMPINGED ON THE TURBOCHARGER OIL SUPPLY HOSE (MACHEN PN CAA04S160). THE HOSE WAS WIRE REINFORCED & FIRE SLEEVED, BUT WAS LOCATED CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST STACK. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT IT HAD RUPTURED FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT. ESCAPING OIL FROM THE HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST STACK & TURBOCHARGER, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90518 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 601P (AEROSTAR 6)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P0315085
- Airframe hours: 1731
- Engines: LYCOMING L/TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sierra Telephone Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: Sierra Telephone Company Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1986, 83 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: FRESNO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 900 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19870417018289I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870417018289I), Apr 17, 1987: Piper PA60601P, Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. Left engine secured after paint on cowl peeled. Found turbo oil line failed allowing oil to contact exhaust.

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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