# NTSB DEN91LA101: Cessna 421B, N768RA, Colorado Spring, CO, July 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1991, 13:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Spring, CO
- Coordinates: 38.819194, -104.700172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8192&lon=-104.7002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA101

## Probable cause

A FRACTURED FUEL LINE AND AN IMPROPERLY PERFORMED ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, landing - roll
  - fuel system,line - fractured (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE LEFT ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS THE PILOT BRAKED DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. A FATIGUE FRACTURE WAS FOUND IN THE WING LOCKER FUEL TANK SUMP DRAIN LINE, ALLOWING FUEL TO FALL ON THE METAL IMPREGNATED BRAKE SHOE.  THE AIRPLANE HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N768RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N768RA-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 421B0022, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B0042
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-52O-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Abrams, Stanley E., doing business as Classics
- Registered owner: Abrams, Stanley E.
- Airport: COS, Colorado Springs Municipa, runway 17, 11,021 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910717027709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910717027709A), Jul 17, 1991: Cessna 421B, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Fire erupted in left engine on landing rollout. Found ruptured sump drain line in wheel well. Brake spark ignition

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.

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