# NTSB CEN11LA504: Quasar Acft 214SL, N89QL, Fort Worth, TX, July 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2011, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.819721, -97.36222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8197&lon=-97.3622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81219 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA504 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81219/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81219 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA504 ## Probable cause A fuel leak in the engine compartment, which resulted in an engine fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Quasar Acft 214SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05902LI), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Quasar Acft 214SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05902LI), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Quasar Acft 214SL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05902LI), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the light sport airplane had recently undergone an engine upgrade. After an initial ground test, the airplane was taxied to the runway for a short test flight. The pilot reported that, as the airplane approached the runway, the engine stopped. Shortly afterward, flames were seen coming from the engine area. The pilot further stated that the fire started and spread so quickly that it had to have been started by a fuel leak. Based on an examination of the damage to the airplane’s engine compartment and the rapid fire progression, it is likely that the engine fire was caused by a fuel leak. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2011, about 1830 central daylight time, a light-sport Quasar, 214SL, airplane, N89QL, experienced an engine fire prior to take-off from the Meacham International Airport (FTW), Fort Worth, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Angelina Air, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the airplane had recently undergone an engine upgrade. The replacement engine included the addition of a turbocharger. After an initial ground test, the airplane was taxied to the runway for a short test flight. The pilot added that as the airplane approached the runway, the engine stopped. Shortly, afterward flames were seen coming from the engine area. The pilot stated that the fire started and spread so quickly, that it had to have been started by a fuel leak. A visual examination of the airplane by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed substantial damage to the airplane, as a result of the engine fire. The inspector added that the damage to the engine’s compartment appeared consistent with a fuel fed fire. A completed copy of NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident Report, was not submitted by the pilot as requested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89QL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89QL), registered now, S/N 089 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: QUASAR ACFT CO LLC 214SL - Registry model: [Quasar Acft 214SL](https://openairdocs.org/model/quasar-acft-214sl) (registry code 05902LI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [HKS 700E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hks-700e) (registry code 33777, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 089 - Engines: Unkn 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Angelina Air Inc - Registered owner: Angelina Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: FTW, Fort Worth, TX - Destination: FTW, Fort Worth, TX - Airport: FTW, Meacham Intl Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KFTW, 1 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 20110722020129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110722020129A), Jul 22, 2011: Quasar Acft Co LLC 214SL, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine quit between run-up area and take off position for runway 16. Engine was re-started or an attempted re-start and caught fire. Aircraft was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81219. 285 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (not submitted) (item 1, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20%20(not%20submitted)-Master.PDF - Memo-statements (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo-statements-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.