Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On November 11, 1998, approximately 1240 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8236Z, was destroyed by fire while taxiing at Tri-County Airport, Erie, Colorado. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by the pilot and operated by Air West Flying Club of Broomfield, Colorado, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight which originated approximately 20 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed.

The pilot took off en route to Jeffco Airport. Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, he began to smell something like "ether." The pilot stated that the smell got stronger, and the engine began to run rough. The roughness of the engine increased, and the pilot decided to divert to Tri-County Airport, Erie, Colorado. The pilot said that after landing and taxiing off the end of runway, he began to smell raw fuel. Simultaneously, he became aware of smoke outside the airplane and in the cockpit. The pilot evacuated the airplane. He further stated that "by the time I turned around, the cockpit was engulfed in black smoke, and there were flames coming from the pilot's side of the engine [aft of the fire wall] and wing root area." The airplane was destroyed in the ensuing fire.

The pilot described the events leading up to the accident as follows: He began his preflight inspection of the airplane that morning by turning the master switch on. He noted that the navigation lights illuminated and he heard the turn-coordinator gyro begin to spin. He noted that one of the airplane's wings had snow on it and that the airplane had been sitting on the ramp for 7 days (this was to be the first flight since the last 100 hour inspection on November 4, 1998). Airport personnel said that "the last 2 or 3 days had been very cold, with temperatures in the high teens and low 20's at night."

The pilot attempted to start the engine and the "propeller barely turned over." He requested assistance in starting the engine and ramp personnel brought out a battery power cart. The Piper External Power (PEP) plug was located on the right side of the fuselage aft of the baggage door. Ramp personnel stated that "the PEP plug did not work" and the decision was made to "jump" the battery. The back seat was removed and the cables were connected to the battery. The engine was started, and the rear seat was replaced. The pilot took off and flew to Ft. Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, approximately 30 minutes in duration. After landing, he remained on the ground for 15 to 20 minutes. When it came time to leave, the engine stated without difficulty.

A Piper representative stated that "a dead or depleted aircraft battery should not be charged in the aircraft." The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) does not caution the pilot against charging a depleted aircraft battery in the airplane.

Airworthiness Directive 81-23-05, which required