Piper PA-32-260 N563PR
4 October 1991 · Vieques · No injuries
Summary
On 4 October 1991 at about 20:00 local time, a Piper PA-32-260 registered N563PR, operated by Alas del Caribe, was involved in an accident near Vieques. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Vieques
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260
- Registration
- N563PR
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Alas del Caribe
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → St. Thomas
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA92LA010
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE INSPECTION RESULTING IN THE DEFECTIVE MUFFLER WHICH FAILED AND CAUSED AN INFLIGHT FIRE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND MADE AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. AFTER LANDING HE EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND GROUND CREWS EXTINGUISHED A FIRE WHICH HAD ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE HAD BURNED THROUGH THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY FAA INSPECTORS INDICATED THE EXHAUST PIPE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MUFFLER ALLOWING ENGINE EXHAUST TO EXIT ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-32 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jul 1991 | Piper PA-32-300 | Reno, Nevada, United States | Joseph Pastuszek | No injuries | - |
| 24 May 1991 | Piper PA-32-300 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | WEB Associate Electronic | Serious injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 1991 | Piper PA-32-301 | Montauk, New York, United States | Three Wing Flying Service, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 May 1991 | Piper PA-32-300 | Clearwater, Florida, United States | Tropicair Pilot's Club | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Jan 1991 | Piper PA 32-300 | Anaheim, California, United States | Ameriflight | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 Apr 1991 | Piper PA-32-301 | Eek, Alaska, United States | Kusko Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |