N4109D

MINR
Serious

PIPER PA-31-350 S/N: 31-8253012

Accident Details

Date
Monday, February 21, 1994
NTSB Number
LAX94LA129
Location
PHOENIX, AZ
Event ID
20001206X00774
Coordinates
33.429889, -112.009643
Aircraft Damage
MINR
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

THE LOOSE MAIN FUEL LINE 'B' NUT DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N4109D
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
31-8253012
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2017
Model / ICAO
PA-31-350 PA31
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TEXTRON AVIATION INC
Address
1 CESSNA BLVD
Status
Deregistered
City
WICHITA
State / Zip Code
KS 67215-1400
Country
United States

Analysis

On February 21, 1994, at 0737 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-31-350, N4109D, right engine compartment caught fire during the landing roll-out on runway 08R at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The pilots were completing a visual flight rules scheduled commuter flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The airplane, operated by Arizona Pacific Airlines, Prescott, Arizona, sustained minor damage. The two flight crewmembers and one passenger were not injured. Another passenger fractured his ankle during the evacuation process. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Ernest J. Love Field, Prescott, Arizona, at 0712 hours.

Both pilots reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the local controller informed them of the fire shortly after touchdown. When the pilot-in-command (PIC) applied the brakes, he noticed that the right brake was ineffective. The PIC executed a left 180-degree turn to stop the airplane.

After the airplane stopped, the second-in-command (SIC) assisted the passengers evacuate the airplane through the main cabin door. The PIC evacuated the airplane through the left front door.

Messrs. Paul Texter and Dean Hennies, Aviation Safety Inspectors, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Scottsdale [Arizona] Flight Standards District Office, conducted the on-scene investigation. Inspector Texter reported that the origin of the fire was in the firewall area next to the main fuel line. He also said that Inspector Hennies found the right main fuel line "B" nut loose, and that both engines were replaced on February 18, 1994.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA129