# NTSB ERA12LA217: Cessna 310K, N6974L, Olive Branch, MS, March 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 7, 2012, 08:43 local (14:43 UTC) - Place: Olive Branch, MS - Coordinates: 34.97861, -89.786666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9786&lon=-89.7867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83073 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83073/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83073 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA217 ## Probable cause Fuel leaking from the left engine fuel strainer onto electrical connections after engine start, which resulted in a fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after starting the left engine, the pilot observed smoke coming from the left engine nacelle. Smoke was then observed in the area of the pilot's rudder pedals. The pilot shut down both engines and exited the airplane. Local personnel responded and extinguished the fire. An examination of the airplane revealed that the left engine and forward wing area were heavily damaged by fire. The most extensive damage was centered around the left engine fuel strainer that was mounted on the engine firewall. Due to the fire damage, the fuel system was not pressurized during the examination. A review of the airplane records revealed no recent maintenance in the area of the fuel strainer. It is likely that fuel leaking from the strainer contacted adjacent electrical connections resulting in the fire. ## Factual narrative On March 7, 2012, about 0843 central standard time, a Cessna 310K, N6974L, was substantially damaged following an engine fire on the ramp at Olive Branch Airport (OLV), Olive Branch, Mississippi. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to a corporation and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, following an uneventful pre-flight inspection, both engines started normally and all indications were "in the green." He began to smell an odor of "burned paint" and looked outside the cockpit. He observed smoke in the area of the left engine nacelle. He shut down the engines and observed smoke coming from the area of the rudder pedals. He was exiting the cockpit when he heard a loud "pop." The left engine became engulfed in flames. Local personnel responded with fire extinguishers and put out the fire. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The left engine was extensively damaged by the fire. A row of rivets was popped at wing structure near the fire damage. The wreckage was secured so that a subsequent examination could be performed. A follow-up examination by the FAA inspector revealed that the most intense part of the heat damage was located near and around the fuel strainer on the left engine firewall. The battery and starter solenoids were also located in this area. The inspector elected not to pressurize the fuel lines due to the heat and fire damage. The FAA inspector reported that no maintenance was performed on the airplane since a 100-hour inspection in November, 2011. The last annual inspection was performed in July, 2011. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6974L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6974L-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 310K0074, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 310K - Registry model: [Cessna 310K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310k) (registry code 2074228) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310K0074 - Airframe hours: 2574 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jordan B. Straub - Registered owner: Cp Aviation Services Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 2011 - Departed: OLV, Olive Branch, MS - Destination: ABI, Abilene, TX - Airport: OLV, Olive Branch Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 711 total, 25 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: OLV ## 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 20120307002919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120307002919A), Mar 7, 2012: Cessna 310K, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. After start up the pilot noticed smoke and flames from the left engine cowl. Both engines were shut down. The pilot heard a loud boom. The fire was… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83073. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 863 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365189&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence with FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366494&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Left Wing Leading Edge Damage(FAA Digital Photo) (item 4, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365192&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Left%20Wing%20Leading%20Edge%20Damage(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Left Engine Fire Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Left%20Engine%20Fire%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.