# NTSB CHI08CA271: Cessna T182T, N140NE, Munising, MI, September 2, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2008, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Munising, MI - Coordinates: 46.354167, -86.621109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3542&lon=-86.6211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68992/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA271 ## Probable cause The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot to carry a hazardous material aboard an airplane that resulted in a fire during an after-landing taxi. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hazardous material leak/spill](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot placed a gasoline-powered "weed whip" on the rear passenger seats of the airplane for a personal flight. The pilot smelled a "strong" smell of gasoline as the airplane touched down for landing at the destination airport. During the after-landing taxi, the engine end of the weed whip fell behind the two front seats. The pilot stated that he reached back and placed the weed whip back onto the seats and "something caused it to ignite." The pilot stated that he was charging his cell phone where the weed whip was located. The pilot stated that the smoke was so bad that he pulled the mixture control to idle cutoff and exited the airplane. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was then consumed by fire. ## Factual narrative The pilot placed a gasoline powered "weed whip" on the rear passenger seats of the airplane for a personal flight. The pilot smelled a "strong" smell of gasoline as the airplane touched down for landing at the destination airport. During the after landing taxi, the engine end of the weed whip fell behind the two front seats. The pilot stated that he reached back and placed the weed whip back onto the seats and "something caused it to ignite." The pilot stated that he was charging his cell phone where the weed whip was located. The pilot stated that the smoke was so bad that he pulled the mixture control to idle cutoff and exited the airplane. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was then consumed by fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N140NE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N140NE-2009-04-06), registration cancelled 2009-04-06, S/N T18208025 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T182T - Registry model: [Cessna T182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182t) (registry code 2072738) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T182-08025 - Engines: Lycoming 540-AK1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Dale Snooks One On One Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ACB, Bellaire, MI - Destination: 5Y7, Munising, MI - Airport: 5Y7, Hanley Field, runway 18 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,381 total, 2,600 in this make and model, 67 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080902846079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080902846079A), Sep 2, 2008: Cessna T182T, Munising, MI, Destroyed. (-23) Upon landing at Hanley Field (5Y7), a gas powered weedeater that was propped up on the back seat became dislodged and fell on to the floor between the… 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.