# NTSB CEN13LA490: Taylorcraft BC12-D1, N44351, Eastport, MI, August 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2013, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Eastport, MI - Coordinates: 45.055831, -85.355834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0558&lon=-85.3558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87785 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA490 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87785/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87785 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA490 ## Probable cause A fuel leak in the engine compartment and subsequent fire, the source of which could not be determined because of extensive postaccident fire damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) shutdown: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he noticed the smell of gasoline while in cruise flight about 5 to 8 miles from his intended destination. He stated that when the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the smell of the gasoline became much stronger. During the landing flare, the engine stopped producing power, and the pilot smelled a very strong odor that he described as a burnt metal smell. After landing, the pilot departed the airplane quickly. About 45 seconds later, flames started coming out of the left side of the engine cowl. The fire spread, and within about 15 minutes, it had consumed most of the airplane. The examination of the wreckage revealed that the most extensive fire damage was located on the left rear side of the engine; however, the source of the fuel leak and fire could not be determined because of the fire damage. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2013, at 1120 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D1, N44351, was destroyed when it was consumed by fire after it landed at the Torchport Airport (59M), located near Easport, Michigan. The pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed Traverse City, Michigan, about 1050. The pilot stated that he noticed the smell of gasoline while in cruise flight about 5 to 8 miles from 59M. When the airplane entered the traffic pattern on downwind, the smell of the gasoline became much stronger. During the flare the engine quit, and he could smell a very strong odor that he described as being a burnt metal smell. After landing, he departed the airplane quickly. About 45 seconds later, flames started coming out of the left side of the engine cowl. The fire spread and within 15 minutes the fire had consumed most of the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. He observed that the highest fire intensity was located on the left rear side of the engine; however, the source of the fire was not determined. The pilot reported that the maintenance logbooks and records were kept in the airplane and were consumed in the fire. The last annual inspection was in October 2012. The pilot flew the airplane for about 2.5 hours as part of the post maintenance check. He did not fly the airplane during the winter months. He flew for 1 hour and 15 minutes on a flight before the accident flight. He stated that the airplane flew fine and there were no indications of any anomalies. There was no maintenance performed on the fuel lines, carburetor, or gascolator after the 1+15 hour flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44351](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44351-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N 10151, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D1 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d1) (registry code 8850320) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10151 - Airframe hours: 3458 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George Grissom - Registered owner: George Grissom - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2012 - Departed: TVC, Travese City, MI - Destination: 59M, Eastport, MI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 59M, Torchport Airpark, runway 04, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; airline transport, sport pilot; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 4, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 22,000 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: TVC, 24 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 20130814015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130814015069A), Aug 14, 2013: Taylorcraft BC12-D1, Eastport, MI, Destroyed. Pilot smelled fuel fumes 5 south of airport. Fumes got stronger as he got closer. Upon landing and rollout pilot departed the aircraft while it was still… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87785. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. View of airplane on fire. (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20airplane%20on%20fire.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. View of airplane on fire. (item 3, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399097&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20View%20of%20airplane%20on%20fire.-Master.PDF - Photo 3. View of the airplane with extensive fire damage. (item 4, .PDF, 417 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20View%20of%20the%20airplane%20with%20extensive%20fire%20damage.-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 5, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-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.