Piper PA-32R-301T N8194X

Summary

On 9 April 1992 at about 23:20 local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T registered N8194X, operated by New Mexico Transportation Dept, was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 April 1992 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Coronado (4AC)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-301T

Registration

N8194X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

New Mexico Transportation Dept

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Santa Fe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW92GA111

1 person died.

FUEL LINE FAILURE DUE TO VIBRATORY FATIGUE. FACTORS WERE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, MANUFACTURER INFORMATION FOR FUEL LINE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THE PILOTS' FAILURE TO FOLLOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE AND DURING THE FORCED LANDING IMPACTED THE TERRAIN NOSE LOW. ACCORDING TO ATC, THE PILOT DIVERTED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT AFTER REPORTING SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT DID NOT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DOWNWIND PATTERN AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AFTER OVERSHOOTING THE RUNWAY DURING THE APPROACH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL LINE TO THE NO. 5 CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED OVER TIME BY CYCLIC STRESSES THAT PROPAGATED A FATIGUE CRACK. THE MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION OF THE LINE HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND THE LINE NOT CLAMPED. MANUFACTURER INFORMATION ON THE LINE ROUTING AND CLAMPS HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE IN THE SERVICE BULLETINS. THE EXHAUST PIPE EXHIBITED MECHANICAL ABRASION AND THERMAL OXIDATION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ALTHOUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD UNDERGONE A RECENT MAINTENANCE CHECK. A 'B' NUT MISSING ON THE TOP SPARK PLUG FOR THE NO. 5 CYLINDER HAD BEEN SITUATED AT A LOCATION OF INTENSE HEAT DURING THE IN-FLIGHT FIRE. SURFACE CRACKS PENETRATING THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE V-BAND COUPLING SECURING THE EXHAUST PIPE EXHIBITED SURFACE OXIDATION DAMAGE DETERMINED TO BE IN EXISTENCE FOR SOME TIME PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.