# NTSB FTW93LA266: Beech A36, N80010, Houston, TX, September 27, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 1993, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.650094, -95.280685 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6501&lon=-95.2807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA266 ## Probable cause THE FUEL LEAK WHICH RESULTED FROM THE MECHANIC'S IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL LINE. A FACTOR WAS THE LEAD MECHANIC'S INADEQUATE POST RUN UP INSPECTION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, standing - starting engine(s) - fuel system,line fitting - cross/stripped threaded (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING ENGINE START, UTILIZING THE HIGH BOOST PUMP, THE PILOT NOTED FLAMES COMING UP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOWARD THE DOOR. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO EXIT BEFORE THE AIRPLANE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CROSS THREADED OUTPUT LINE ON THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP WHICH ALLOWED FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE PUMP HAD BEEN REMOVED AND RE-INSTALLED EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE POST-MAINTENANCE RUN UP STATED THAT HE HAD TO RUN THE BOOST PUMP ON LOW TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING ROUGH. HE DID NOT INFORM ANYONE OF THAT DIFFICULTY UNTIL AFTER RELEASING THE AIRPLANE FOR FLIGHT AND AFTER THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 1993, at approximately 1510 central daylight time, a Beech A36, N80010, was destroyed by fire during engine start at the Hobby Airport, in Houston, Texas. The airplane, being flown by an ATP rated pilot, was about to depart on a local flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area. Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured. According to the pilot, who was a Beech sales person, the flight was to be an acceptance flight prior to sale to the passenger. The pilot stated that he utilized the high boost pump to pressurize the system and then started the engine. The engine started and then quit. He applied boost pump again and restarted. During the second start, the pilot noted flames coming up from the engine compartment toward the cockpit door window. The pilot and the passenger immediately exited the airplane prior to its being engulfed in flames. The pilot failed to return the Pilot/Operator Accident Report that was provided to him following the accident. Investigation revealed a cross threaded output line on the engine driven fuel pump which allowed fuel to leak into the engine compartment. The fuel pump had been removed earlier in the day for compliance with a service bulletin and re-installed. Following the completion of the maintenance, the airplane was run up by the lead mechanic who stated that he also performed a post- run inspection. He later stated to his supervisor that during the run up he had to keep the electric boost pump operating in the low position to prevent the engine from running rough. However, he did not relate the situation until after the mishap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80010](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80010-1993-12-13), registration cancelled 1993-12-13, S/N E2749 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2749 - Airframe hours: 40 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: United Beechcraft, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1993, 0 hours before - Departed: HOU - Destination: HOU - Airport: HOU, Hobby Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HOU ## 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 19930927036589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930927036589A), Sep 27, 1993: Beech A36, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Engine fire during start on ramp. Cross threaded output line on fuel pump allowed fuel leak in engine compartment. 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.