# Accident 20010116004489A: Conaer LA4200, Orlando, FL, January 16, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 16, 2001, 09:15 local time
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.4892° N, 81.2909° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4892&lon=-81.2909&mi=10
- Aircraft: N12E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12E-2001-08-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200 (registry code 2400108, https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4-200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONAER LA4200
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL01LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA022) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010116004489A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) DURING THE INITIAL ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURE (CRANKING ENGINE WITH STARTER ENERGIZER) AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED. THE EXPLOSION CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE A/C FROM THE COCKPIT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FUSELAGE AND UP THROUGH THE VERTICAL STABILIZER. POST-EXPLOSION INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FOLLOWING: 1. THE MAIN FUEL TANK FOR THE AIRPLANE IS LOCATED AFT OF THE REAR SEAT BACKS, AND A BULKHEAD SEPARATES THE SEAT BACKS FROM THE TANK 2) AT LEASTR ONE FUEL LINE FITTING UNDER THIS TANK WAS WET TO THE TOUCH WITH A LIQUID THAT HAD THE AROMA OF AVIATION GAS 30 THE AIRPLANE'S BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER THE RIGHT REAR SEAT. THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CONNECTS TO THE AIRFRAME VIA A FLAT, BRAIDED GROUND STRAP; THE CONNECTION AT THE AIRFRAME WAS CORRODES 4) THE BATTERY IS COVERED WITH A CLEAR PLEXI-GLASS COVER, BUT THE COMPARTMENT WHICH THIS CRATES IS NOT SEALED. 5) POST-EXPLOSION INVESTIGATION FOUND THE BATTERY GROUND STRAP TO BE COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT ITS LOWER END. THE ENDS OF SEVERAL OF THE WIRE BRAIDS HAD GLOBULES OF MOLTEN MATERIAL, AND THEY WERE CHARRED AND DISCOLORED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL01LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA022), Jan 16, 2001: Lake LA-4-200 (N12E), Orlando, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO COMPLETE PRESCRIBED INSPECTIONS THAT RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF A FUEL BLOCK DRAIN ASSEMBLY FITTING , CORROSION OF THE BATTERY GROUNDING STRAP AND THE…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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