# NTSB ATL86LA169: Cessna 172, N30265, Pelion, SC, June 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1986, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Pelion, SC
- Coordinates: 33.779598, -81.239509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7796&lon=-81.2395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA169

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT AND STUDENT PLT RETURNED TO THE ACFT AFTER PAUSING FROM LANDING PRACTICE FOR A SOFT DRINK. AN ENGINE START WAS ATTEMPTED AND A BACK FIRE OCCURRED THAT STARTED AND INDUCTION FIRE. THE INTENSITY OF THE FIRE GREW AND THE OCCUPANT EXITED THE ACFT TO ATTEMPT TO SUPPRESS THE FIRE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO EXTINQUISH THE FIRE AND THE ACFT BURNED TO THE GROUND ON THE AIRPORT RAMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30265](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30265-1991-04-02), registration cancelled 1991-04-02, S/N 17264129 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264129
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Caraway Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1985, 40 hours before
- Airport: 6J0, Pelion

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,720 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19860614024229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860614024229A), Jun 14, 1986: Cessna 172M, Pelion, SC, Destroyed. The engine backfired during start causing a fire which destroyed aircraft. Pilot did not continue cranking engine.

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.

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