# NTSB ATL02LA174: Beech B-55, N8821M, Jackson, MS, September 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 2002, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Jackson, MS - Coordinates: 32.33472, -90.222503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3347&lon=-90.2225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Jackson FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55783/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA174 ## Probable cause The left wing tank fuel quantity transmitter unit was leaking fuel, and the leaking fuel was ignited by engine exhaust during engine start. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, standing - starting engine(s) - fuel system - leak (cause) ## Analysis While starting the left engine, the pilot noticed smoke coming from the left side of the left engine cowling. At approximately the same time, flight line personnel ran toward the airplane with a fire extinguisher pointing to the left wing, which had caught fire. The pilot aborted the engine start, shut off electrical power, closed the fuel valves, and exited the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing spar had structural damage and the left wing was fire damaged. Further investigation showed that the left wing fuel tank quantity transmitter had been leaking fuel. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 2002, at 1130 central daylight time, a Beech B-55, N8821M, registered to West Properties and operated by a commercial pilot, caught fire during engine start at Hawkins Field, Jackson, Mississippi. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. While starting the left engine, the pilot noticed smoke coming from the left side of the left engine cowling. At approximately the same time, flight line personnel ran toward the airplane with a fire extinguisher pointing to the left wing, which had caught fire. The pilot aborted the engine start, shut off electrical power, closed the fuel valves, and exited the airplane. A loud bang was heard and the left wing exploded. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing spar had structural damage and the left wing was fire damaged. Further examination showed that the left wing fuel quantity transmitter unit had been leaking fuel. There were also blue fuel stains on the top of the rubber bladder style fuel tank. The maintenance history of the fuel quantity transmitter was not determined. The annual airframe inspection was completed on April 16, 2002, at which time the airframe had accumulated 4307 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8821M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8821M-2018-04-04), registration cancelled 2018-04-04, S/N TC-580, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech B-55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-580 - Airframe hours: 4307.4 - Engines: Continental IO-470L 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-470L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: West Properties - Registered owner: J & J Aircraft Sales - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2002, 27.4 hours before - Departed: HKS, Jackson, MS - Destination: Dallas, TX - Airport: HKS, Hawkins Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 3, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,356 total, 20 in this make and model, 1,280 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 7 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020905024909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020905024909A), Sep 5, 2002: Beech 95B55, Jackson, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) During engine start left engine caught fire followed by explosion in left wing. After inspection left fuel sending unit showed evidence of leakage… ## Other investigations on N8821M (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 ATL83LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA319), Jul 3, 1983: Beech 55 (N8821M), Cornelia, GA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.