Piper PA-28-181 accident near Manassas, Virginia, November 18, 2022
On November 18, 2022 at about 12:45 pm local time, a 1982 Piper PA-28-181, registered N8129M, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Manassas, Virginia (Manassas Rgnl/Harry P Davis Fl 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
An engine fire caused by chafing and subsequent electrical arcing of the alternator wire near a fuel source.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 18, 2022 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Manassas, Virginia · Manassas Rgnl/Harry P Davis Fl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181, built 1982 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N8129M · registry record · serial 28-8290094
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
In preparation for the instructional flight, the flight instructor primed the engine with fuel several times and attempted to start it; each time the engine would get close to starting but would not run. On the fourth start attempt, he did not prime the engine and white smoke started to emanate from the engine compartment. The flight instructor then shut off the fuel valve and electrical equipment and then exited the airplane to investigate. He discharged a fire extinguisher into the air intake without effect. The smoke increased in intensity before a fire broke out and within minutes engulfed the engine compartment and cockpit area before eventually being extinguished by airport fire rescue. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed electrical arcing damage to an alternator wire and surrounding structure. Pitting consistent with electrical arcing was discovered on the engine mounts and the alternator wire displayed features consistent with electrical arcing damage that was located near a fuel line. The clamp that affixed the wire was severely damaged and melted. Based on this information, the wire likely chafed over time until metal-to-metal contact was made as the wire was energized, which resulted in a fire that was fed by fuel from a nearby fuel line.
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
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Electrical pwr sys wiring › Damaged/degraded
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 625 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,521 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 19, 2022; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 5,521 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Aviation Consulting Expertise LLC
The flight
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from HEF
Weather report (METAR): METAR KHEF 181256Z 16004KT 10SM CLR M03/M05 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP254 T10331050 FZRANO=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on October 30, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Operator Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Wreckage Examination Summary (FAA) | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memo for Record_faa Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum for Record - Requests to Operator for 6120.1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array_airplane Damage | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.