Quick Descent And Emergency Landing Averts Tragedy

I don't have to tell you that one of the true nightmares of any pilot's existence is dealing with inflight fire. In the case of a mostly fabric aircraft of elder lineage, the problems can get out of hand in a heartbeat. This pilot did what he should have done... got the bird down before an inflight fire consumed too much of the aircraft to permit continued flight. Good work...

NTSB Identification: CEN11LA350
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, May 20, 2011 in Frederick, OK
Aircraft: PIPER PA-22-160, registration: N8957D
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 20, 2011, at 1513 central daylight time, N8957D, a Piper PA-22 airplane, was destroyed after the pilot made a forced landing to a field due to an in-flight fire. The airplane continued to burn on the ground and was consumed by fire. The private pilot was seriously injured and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

File Photo

According to the pilot, about 20 minutes after he departed he was maneuvering at an altitude of 600 feet when he began to feel his feet getting hot. He thought it might have been the cabin heat, but the heat was getting more intense and the cockpit began to fill with a gray/bluish colored smoke. The pilot then observed black smoke near his left foot and flames, which he attempted to try and stomp out. The pilot made a forced landing to a muddy field where he and his passenger were able to exit the airplane before it was rapidly consumed by fire.

File Illustration

The airplane was examined by an inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA)the day after the accident. He stated that the entire fuselage, tail section, right wing and the inboard section of the left wing were consumed by fire. The engine compartment also sustained extensive fire damage.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov