PROVO, UT, USA
N21492
PIPER PA-32RT-300T
DURING FLT, THE PLT NOTED A DROP IN MANIFOLD PRESSURE & DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE ON A BASE LEG TO LAND, HEAVY SMOKE & FUMES FILLED THE CABIN & REQUIRED THE PLT TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE VENT WINDOW TO COMPLETE THE LANDING. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED ON THE RUNWAY, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS EXTINGUISHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE (LYCOMING PART NO: LW-15811) HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED AT THE FLANGE. THE ENGINE CROSSOVER EXHAUST ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN MODIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AD 89-12-04 & TEXTRON LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN #484, WHICH WERE INTENDED TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF FAILURE/SEPARATION.
IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND FATIGUE FAILURE AND LEAKAGE OF THE LEFT INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS PROVIDED BY THE (FAA) AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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