# NTSB CHI98LA266: Cessna R182, N9142C, Bismarck, ND, July 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1998, 16:42 local (21:42 UTC) - Place: Bismarck, ND - Location: 46.7727° N, 100.7457° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BISMARCK MUNI (BIS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7727&lon=-100.7457&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43096/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA266 ## Probable cause The fatigue failure of the fuel system line fitting. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,line fitting - fatigue (cause) - Fire/explosion, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - fuel system,line fitting - fatigue (cause) ## Analysis A fractured electric fuel pump to carburetor T-connector, Part Number AN917-20, fitting was found during inspection of the engine compartment by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. Metallurgical analysis of the separated fitting by the National Transportation Safety Board's Material Laboratory revealed clamshell shaped crack arrest marks and step-like features to be present. Closer examination of the step-like features revealed a large number of markings similar to river patterns, which converged at numerous locations on the outside diameter (at the root of the thread) of the fitting. No mechanical damage was noted at any of the crack origin locations. The last airplane inspection was a 100-hour inspection performed in March of 1998. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1998, at 1642 central daylight time, a Cessna R182, N9142C, operated by an airline transport pilot, received substantial damage following an in-flight fire while maneuvering in the traffic pattern at Bismarck Municipal Airport, near Bismarck, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and student reported no injuries. The local flight originated Bismarck Municipal Airport at 1415. In a written statement, the instructor reported that they had returned to the to the traffic pattern to perform takeoff and landings after conducting various air work maneuvers for approximately 1-1/2 hours. During their fourth takeoff in the traffic pattern, the instructor noticed abnormal engine performance brought on by no fuel pressure at an altitude of approximately 500' above ground level. The auxiliary boost pump was actuated but it did not rectify and was subsequently turned off. The instructor requested an immediate landing from the tower, lowered the landing gear and throttled back the engine. The instructor stated that when the engine was throttled back, the engine backfired and caused an explosion in the engine compartment. The instructor proceeded to shut down aircraft systems and reported that fire was visible on the right side of the airplane. The airplane was then "dead sticked" to a landing on a taxiway where fire personnel extinguished the fire. A fractured electric fuel pump to carburetor T-connector, Part Number AN917-20, fitting was found during inspection of the engine compartment by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. Metallurgical analysis of the separated fitting by the National Transportation Safety Board's Material Laboratory revealed clamshell shaped crack arrest marks and step-like features to be present. Closer examination of the step-like features revealed a large number of markings similar to river patterns, which converged at numerous locations on the outside diameter (at the root of the thread) of the fitting. No mechanical damage was noted at any of the crack origin locations. The last airplane inspection was a 100-hour inspection performed in March of 1998. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9142C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9142C), registered now, S/N R18200417, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna R182 - Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 00417 - Airframe hours: 2134 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jamestown Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BIS - Airport: BIS, Bismarck Municipal, runway 31, 8,974 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,300 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 10,250 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 17 knots, gusting 29 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BIS ## 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 19980720046809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980720046809A), Jul 20, 1998: Cessna R182, Bismarck, ND, No damage. (-23) On July 20, 1998, at 1640 central daylight time a Cessna R182, N9142C, operated by an ATP pilot sustained substantial damage, resulting from an inflight… 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.