CHI87LA204

Factual narrative

THE ACFT WAS ON THE THIRD TKOF OF THE DAY WHEN THE ENG STOPPED ON INITIAL CLIMB AT THE PILOTS ESTIMATED ALT OF 500 FT. HE DID A 180 TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT AND RAN THROUGH THE PERIMETER FENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE MUFFLER CONTAINED A SEVEN INCH CRACK, SIX INCHES OF WHICH WERE FOUND RUSTED WITH ROUNDED ERODED EDGES. THE MUFFLER SHROUD HAD A CORRESPONDING HOLE 6.7 INCHES LONG AND APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH WIDE. MELTED METAL WAS FOUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SHROUD AND A FUEL PRESSURE LINE, LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE CRACKED MUFFLER, WAS FOUND BURNED. FAA INSPECTORS INDICATED THAT THE CARBURETOR ALTERNATE AIR INTAKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE CARBURETOR THROAT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN INFLIGHT FIRE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12