RALEIGH, NC, USA
N4076W
PIPER PA-32-260
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT THE ENG LOST POWER & THE ACFTCOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A HEAVILY WOODED STATE PARK. THE #5 CYLINDER EXHAUST PIPE WAS FOUND SEPARATED & WAS NOT BURNED OR SOOTED. EXTENSIVE MELTING WAS EVIDENT AROUND THE INTAKE & EXHAUST PORTS ON THE #5 CYLINDER. THE HEAD OF THE #5 CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY BURNED THROUGH. THE ACFT HAD COMPLETED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 30 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GASKETS HAD BEEN REPLACED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION WITH A SCANNING ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS ON THE FAILED EXHAUST PIPE FLANGE WHILE DISTINCT NUT-TIGHTENING MARKS WERE OBSERVED ON TWO EXHAUST PIPES THAT REMAINED ATTACHED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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