Piper PA 28-161 accident near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, September 19, 2015
On September 19, 2015 at about 2:15 pm local time, a 1977 Piper PA 28-161, registered N9887K, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Northeast airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An engine fire, which resulted from the overpriming of a hot engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 19, 2015 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Pittsburg, Pennsylvania · Pittsburgh Northeast · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28-161, built 1977 · all PA 28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N9887K · no longer on the register · serial 28-7816206
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he landed the airplane and parked it to address an in-flight anomaly with his headset. He then performed a preflight inspection. Before starting the engine, he pumped the primer twice and then attempted to start the engine. Subsequently, he observed smoke emanating from the engine area. He continued attempting to start the engine while moving the mixture lever to the fuel "cutoff" position. He then observed flames emanating from under the engine cowling, discontinued attempting to start the engine, and exited the airplane. Postaccident examination revealed extensive fire damage to the engine and airframe that appeared to have originated in or around the carburetor. The Pilot's Operating Handbook provided no guidance on using the primer when starting a hot engine but stated that "engine fires during start are usually the result of overpriming." It is likely that the hot engine was overprimed, which resulted in excess fuel in the carburetor and the subsequent engine fire.
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 › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,506.1 hours in all; 1,800 in this make and model; 33.2 in the last 90 days; 2,506.1 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 17, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,663.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 3, 2015; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 5,030 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 9G1 Pittsburg PA
- Destination: RIC Richmond VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from KBTP, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.