ERA20LA285

The rear-facing engine was mounted on top of the cabin on the amphibious airplane. During the landing roll, the pilot opened the airplane’s gull wing door and a fire erupted from the rear of the cabin, travelling forward. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane as it rolled off the runway into a grass area, came to rest upright, and was consumed by fire. Review of maintenance logbooks revealed that an overhauled engine was installed about 5 hours before the accident, which included a new fuel supply flex hose and oil cooler; however, due to the extensive thermal damage, examination could not determine the source of the fire.

On August 14, 2020, about 1718 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA4 amphibious airplane, N2994P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Palm Beach, Florida. The pilot received serious injuries and the pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, they departed North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport (F45), West Palm Beach, Florida for a local flight. After about 1 hour and 20 minutes, they landed back at F45. During the landing roll, he opened the airplane’s gull wing door and instantly heard “a swish of air enter the cabin,” followed by a flash of fire that came from the rear cabin forward. Both occupants jumped out of the airplane as it continued down the runway and into the grass. After the airplane stopped, the pilot ran back to the cockpit and turned off the master switch and fuel selector valve. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest upright in the grass next to runway 14. The majority of the fuselage and engine were consumed by fire. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The airplane and engine were recovered and examined by an FAA inspector and a mechanic. After reviewing the on-scene photographs and the airframe, the mechanic reported that the fire started in the engine pylon, where the electric fuel boost pump and header fuel tank are located. It is possible that the fire could have originated from the electric fuel boost pump, the header fuel tank, or the fuel supply flex hose. Review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that, 5.3 hours before the accident, an overhauled engine was installed on the airplane and the fuel flex hose and oil cooler were replaced.