# NTSB BFO90LA009: Beech C33, N4897J, Richmond, VA, November 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1989, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, VA
- Coordinates: 37.510986, -77.270355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5110&lon=-77.2704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11567/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA009

## Probable cause

CRACKED FUEL FLOW INDICATOR FUEL LINE WHICH ALLOWED FUEL TO COME IN CONTACT WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,line - cracked (cause)
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
  - fuselage,instrument/electrical panel - fire

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 1,000 FEET, THE PLT BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT ATC TO RETURN TO LAND, THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT HE SAW FLAME COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THAT THE SMOKE WORSENED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE AT THE RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THE PLT EVACUATED THE ACFT ON THE RWY AND THE INTERIOR TO THE ACFT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE AND HEAT BY TIME THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED A CRACKED FUEL LINE WHICH RAN TO THE FUEL FLOW INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS LINE WAS CRACKED IN THE AREA OF THE CABIN LIGHT RHEOSTAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4897J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4897J-1992-03-05), registration cancelled 1992-03-05, S/N CD1079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-C33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33) (registry code 1151408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD1079
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-K 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Julian C. Petts, Jr.
- Registered owner: Julian C Petts, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: CARTERSVILLE, VA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: RIC, Richmond Int'L, runway 16, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 7,650 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19891110044869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891110044869A), Nov 10, 1989: Beech 35C33, Richmond, VA, Substantial damage. Appears that a possible electrical short and a cracked fuel flow indicator line caused fire on takeoff. Landed safe

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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