Piper PA-32 accident near Opa Locka, Florida, December 1, 2015

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The private pilot stated that the airplane was climbing through about 800 ft after takeoff when light smoke appeared from the instrument panel and windscreen area. The pilot began a turn back toward the airport, and, almost immediately, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed an off-airport forced landing, the airplane struck a parked tractor-trailer, and came to rest inverted on a berm. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed soot and char marks on the left side of the engine cowling and in the engine compartment. The muffler's left sidewall displayed metal erosion and a wall breach that allowed exhaust gas to leak into the engine compartment. The engine fuel lines exhibited thermal damage but were not compromised. The front of the carburetor was charred, and some magneto leads were burned. The exact means by which the engine lost power could not be determined, but the intense heat of the exhaust gas could have burned off fuel in the carburetor, created a vapor lock in the fuel lines, or interrupted spark to the cylinders. Further examination of the muffler revealed that the right sidewall was thin and rusted and had small erosion holes. The accident occurred less than 8 hours of operation after the airplane's most recent annual/100-hour inspection. Manufacturer-mandated inspection criteria required particular attention be paid to the exhaust system, especially fatigue-prone areas such as the muffler sidewalls. Given the degree of preexisting deterioration noted, it is likely that the exhaust system was not properly inspected during the last inspection.

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.