# NTSB FTW91LA020: Cessna 172N, N6297D, Plano, TX, December 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1990, 07:23 local (13:23 UTC)
- Place: Plano, TX
- Coordinates: 33.029941, -96.669845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0299&lon=-96.6698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA020

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE APPROVED START PROCEDURES WHICH RESULTED IN AN INDUCTION FIRE AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - fire
  - starting procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE ABOUT 15 TIMES AND PRIMING IT THREE TIMES THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A START.  HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE HIT THREE TIMES AND THEN STOPPED.  HE SUBSEQUENTLY PRIMED THE ENGINE TWO MORE TIMES AND ATTEMPTED A SECOND START.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ENGINE HIT ONCE AND THEN HE OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE COWLING.  HE ABANDONED THE AIRPLANE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED.  IT APPEARED THAT THE FIRE ORGINATED IN THE AREA OF THE AIR INTAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6297D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6297D-1996-07-16), registration cancelled 1996-07-16, S/N 17272702 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-72702
- Airframe hours: 2106
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Stranmel Aviation
- Registered owner: Rudder, Johnny L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 9, 1990, 24 hours before
- Departed: F26
- Destination: SHV, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: F26, Dallas North

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 49 in this make and model, 207 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS, 15 nm away

## 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 19901205053119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901205053119A), Dec 5, 1990: Cessna 172N, Plano, TX, Destroyed. Pumped throttle trying to start cold engine. Backfired and fire in intake. Stopped cranking. Aircraft burned.

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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