On April 25, 1992, a Beech 23A-19 (registration N7973L) operated by Walker And Associates was involved in an aviation accident near Orangeburg, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE DETERIORATION OF THE EXHAUST MUFFLER WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT FIRE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After noticing smoke under the instrument panel shortly after takeoff, a pilot returned for an emergency landing. After taxiing to a grassy area, the aircraft burned. Examination revealed a deteriorated exhaust muffler with a hole.
Incident Summary
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot detected smoke coming from underneath the instrument panel. The pilot decided to return to the departure airport and performed an emergency landing. Following the landing, the pilot taxied the airplane to a grassy area, where the aircraft subsequently burned.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the wreckage disclosed that the exhaust muffler had deteriorated and that a hole was present in the muffler assembly. The fire destroyed the airframe tachometer; consequently, the total time on the airframe and the time since the last annual inspection could not be determined.