# NTSB SEA96LA048: Piper PA-28-161, N30119, Salt Lake City, UT, November 3, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 1995, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Salt Lake City, UT - Location: 40.7884° N, 111.9778° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SALT LAKE CITY INTL (SLC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7884&lon=-111.9778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42327/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA048 ## Probable cause a carburetor fire. ## 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 (cause) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that after three unsuccessful attempts to start the engine, he noticed 'steam' or 'smoke' coming from the carbureted engine compartment. He then initiated a fourth engine start cranking the engine for about 15 seconds before stopping and exiting the airplane to inspect the engine. The instructor noticed a small flame in the engine compartment and ordered the student to exit the airplane. A fire extinguisher was not available and the airplane was quickly consumed by the fire. No ignition source could be determined for the fire. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 1995, approximately 0740 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N30119, being operated by Great Western Aviation, Inc., was destroyed by a ground fire during engine start prior to an instructional flight. The instructor and student pilot were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been activated as the aircraft had not begun taxi movement. The flight, which was to have been instructional, was to have been operated under 14CFR91 and was originating from an area of "T" hangars on the east side of the Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Seattle Regional Office of the NTSB was first notified on the afternoon of February 2, 1996. In a written statement, the instructor pilot reported that during the engine start, the engine fired then stopped. A second attempt was tried without success. The instructor reported that he and the student waited approximately 30 seconds before trying a third time. After the third attempt, the pilot noted what appeared to be "steam" or "smoke" coming from the engine compartment. The instructor attempted a fourth start and continued cranking the starter for about 15 seconds without success before he stopped and exited the cockpit to inspect the front of the airplane. The instructor reported that he noticed a small flame within the engine compartment and instructed the student to exit the airplane. There was no fire extinguisher available and the airplane was quickly consumed by the spreading fire. The ignition source for the fire could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30119](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30119-2009-03-31), registration cancelled 2009-03-31, S/N 28-7916078, built 1954 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7916078 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Great Western Aviation - Registered owner: Mountain Air Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SLC - Airport: SLC, Salt Lake City ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 739 total, 54 in this make and model, 674 as pilot in command, 223 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SLC ## 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 19951103046369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951103046369A), Nov 3, 1995: Piper PA28161, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed. Smoke from engine on 3rd start try. Tried again. No start. Saw small fire. No extinguisher. Indicates flooded engine 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.