20110804018289I

An aircraft affiliated with orlando flight training (aca) in merritt island on an instruction flight, performing full stop/taxi back at the tico airport in Titusville, FL. During one of the full stop landings & taxi, the PIC after taking control stated the engine began to sputter; he applied power but the engine shutdown. Two previous attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful and on a third attempt, with the fuel pump & mixture on, the crew identified smoke, immediately they encountered an engine fire. An emergency was declared and POH required emergency procedures were completed. Preliminary findings determined the fire was isolated to the left side and appears to have been an induction fire caused by excessive fuel. Preliminary findings with maintenance indicated the possibility of a carburetor with low idle mixture, which may have been a contributing factor as to why it may have shut down but not substantiated. Also, the PIC priming the throttle while trying to re-start the engine. The other variables involved were conditions associated,multiple take off & lands, temperatures both with the engine and weather conditions. The aircraft sustained damage to the carburetor, firewall wiring, starter & alternator wiring; fuel/oil hoses, pump and engine mount bushings. Several other items will require inspection for serviceability before returned to service. The maintenance department later informed me the repairs although seem costly are minor. They also agreed the engine may have been flooded by excessive priming during start.