# NTSB CHI96LA241: Cessna 150, N50104, Parker, SD, July 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1996, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Parker, SD - Coordinates: 43.390224, -97.129905 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3902&lon=-97.1299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10311 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10311/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA241 ## Probable cause engine compartment fire from accumulated fuel in the carburetor, and failure of the pilot to follow the emergency checklist procedure. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, standing - starting engine(s) - starting procedure - initiated, pilot in command - engine compartment - fire (cause) - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - starting procedure - discontinued, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had landed about 30 minutes prior to the accident. When he attempted to start the engine before the next planned flight, it 'turned over but wouldn't start.' He pumped the throttle three times. He said he engaged the starter, the engine 'popped through the carb,' and fire ignited in the engine compartment. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane uneventfully. The emergency procedure published in the pilot's operating handbook (for engine fire during start on ground), specified 'cranking-continue, to get start which would suck the flames and accumulated fuel through the carburetor and into the engine.' ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1996, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N50104, was destroyed by fire at a private airstrip near Parker, South Dakota. The pilot reported that the fire initiated prior to takeoff during an attempted engine start. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the planned local flight. The pilot reported that he had landed about 30 minutes prior to the accident. When he attempted to start the engine prior to the planned flight, it "turned over but wouldn't start." He pumped the throttle three times. He engaged the starter, the engine "popped through the carb," and the fire ignited in the engine compartment. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane uneventfully. Emergency procedures published in the pilot's operating handbook, engine fire during start on ground checklist, specify "cranking-continue, to get start which would suck the flames and accumulated fuel through the carburetor and into the engine." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50104](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50104-1996-10-11), registration cancelled 1996-10-11, S/N 15069064 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15069064 - Airframe hours: 2389 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Heibult Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, August 1, 1995 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 80 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F ## 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 19960712017959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960712017959A), Jul 12, 1996: Cessna 150H, Parker, SD, Destroyed. Pilot attempted to start engine, caught on fire and burned. (.4)the pilot reported that he had landed about 30 minutes prior to the accident. When he attempted… ## Other investigations on N50104 (2) 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 MIA70DKT07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70DKT07), Feb 24, 1970: Cessna 150 (N50104), Marathon, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA69D0226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0226), Nov 4, 1968: Cessna 150 (N50104), Melbourne, FL, 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. --- 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.