Piper PA28 N16366

Summary

On 27 March 2016 at about 16:00 local time, a Piper PA28 registered N16366 was involved in an accident near West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, United States. 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.

Date

27 March 2016 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Allegheny County (AGC)

Coordinates

40.3544, -79.9292

Aircraft

Piper PA28

Registration

N16366

Category

Airplane

Year built

1973

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

West Mifflin → West Mifflin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA16LA154

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to follow checklist procedures for an engine fire during start.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot stated that he attempted to start the airplane's engine but that it would not start. On the fifth attempt, he followed the "starting engine when flooded" checklist. As the propeller was turning with the starter motor engaged, white smoke began to emanate from the engine cowling. He then turned off the master switch, exited the airplane, and opened the engine cowling. Flames suddenly emanated from the left side of the engine. The engine and compartment subsequently sustained substantial fire and heat damage. The pilot added that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the airplane; examination of the wreckage revealed that the primer control was not in and locked. Review of a pilot's operating manual for the airplane revealed that, if an engine fire occurs during start, the pilot should move the mixture control to idle, move the throttle control to full open, and continue to turn the engine with the starter motor in an attempt to pull the fire into the engine. If the pilot had followed this procedure, it is likely that the fire would have been extinguished and prevented further damage to the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.