Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-161 accident near Melbourne, Florida, April 4, 2014
On April 4, 2014 at about 2:14 pm local time, a 2008 Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-161, registered N642FT, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Melbourne, Florida (Melbourne International Arpt airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor’s overpriming of the engine during multiple unsuccessful engine start attempts on an active runway, which resulted in an engine compartment fire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 2014 · about 2:14 pm local time
- Place
- Melbourne, Florida · Melbourne International Arpt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-161, built 2008
- Registration
- N642FT · registry record · serial 2842319
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that, while taxiing off the runway after landing and when the airplane was just before the hold short lines, the engine quit. The flight instructor contacted the tower air traffic controller and asked for permission to push the airplane completely off the runway, but the tower controller declined and instructed him to advise whether he could get the engine started. The flight instructor attempted to start the engine using procedures for a hot and cold engine and then noticed smoke coming from the engine cowling. The flight instructor secured the airplane, and, after evacuating it, noticed flames coming from the engine cowling, which he was unable to extinguish using the on-board fire extinguisher. Airport rescue and firefighting personnel responded and extinguished the fire. Postaccident examination of the carburetor revealed that the loosening torque values of the screws that secure the throttle body to the carburetor bowl were lower than the tightening torque value specified for overhaul. However, repair station personnel reported that it was not uncommon for in-service units to exhibit no loosening torque value. The engine fire was likely caused by the flight instructor's overpriming of the engine during multiple unsuccessful engine start attempts, which likely resulted from his feeling rushed to get the engine started while the airplane was still on an active runway. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect use/operation
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 570 hours in all; 141 in the last 90 days; 64 in the last 30 days; 524 as pilot in command; 264 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 126 hours in all; 117 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 66 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 23, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,498 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 20, 2014; 37 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 1,924 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Fit Aviation, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: MLB Melbourne FL at 1:10 pm
- Destination: MLB Melbourne FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27R, 6,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from MLB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.