# NTSB BFO93LA051: Cessna 150M, N63206, Rochester, NY, March 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1993, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, NY
- Coordinates: 43.089042, -77.639472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0890&lon=-77.6395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA051

## Probable cause

A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO OVER-PRIMING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, standing - starting engine(s)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)

## Analysis

IT WAS A COLD DAY, AND AS THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR EARLIER, THE INSTRUCTOR DID NOT PRE-HEAT THE ENGINE.  HIS THREE ATTEMPTS TO START THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, SO HE DECIDED TO PRE-HEAT. HE PRIMED THE ENGINE, BUT THIS ATTEMPT WAS ALSO UNSUCCESSFUL, SO TWO ADDITIONAL SHOTS OF PRIME WERE APPLIED.  BY THIS TIME, THE BATTERY WAS INEFFECTIVE, SO THE INSTRUCTOR DECIDED THAT AN EXTERNAL START WAS REQUIRED.  WHILE EXITING THE AIRPLANE, THE INSTRUCTOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE COWLING.  HE ADVISED THE STUDENT TO VACATE THE AREA, AND HE SHUT OFF THE FUEL SELECTOR BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. BY THE TIME HE HAD RETURNED WITH AN EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE HAD SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63206](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63206-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N 15077174, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077174
- Airframe hours: 4977
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bill Law Aviation
- Registered owner: Steve Aero Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 17, 1992, 83 hours before
- Departed: ROC
- Destination: ROC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ROC, Greater Rochester Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 407 total, 37 in this make and model, 337 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930318035289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930318035289A), Mar 18, 1993: Cessna 150M, Rochester, NY, Substantial damage. Over primed cold engine in attempts to start same. Fire erupted in engine compartment. Fifteen degrees above zero.

## Other investigations on N63206 (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 NYC88LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA175), Jul 3, 1988: Cessna 150M (N63206), W. Seneca, NY, 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.

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