# NTSB FTW96LA252: Harmon RV-3 Rocket, N41HR, Houston, TX, June 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1996, 09:27 local (14:27 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.650035, -95.27919 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6500&lon=-95.2792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 17, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19865 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19865/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA252 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the fuel line with insufficient clearance from the exhaust system, resulting in a hole being burned into the fuel line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - fuel system,line - burned (cause) - fuel system,line - leak - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Fire, landing - roll ## Analysis During landing on runway 12L at the William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas, the pilot noticed flames between his feet. He exited the runway to the left and deplaned. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that a high pressure fuel line on the right side of the engine, had a hole burned into it. The fuel line had been improperly installed to within one inch of the exhaust pipe. Further examination revealed that the right main landing gear had been damaged by a 'previous landing,' and an aft engine mount had a break that 'appeared to be old.' The airplane was destroyed by the fire. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1996, at 0927 central daylight time, a Harmon RV-3 Rocket, N41HR, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was destroyed by fire during landing near Houston, Texas. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Madison, Mississippi, at 0800. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 12L at the William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas. During the roll out, when the tail touched down, he noticed flames between his feet. He exited the runway to the left and deplaned. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that a high pressure fuel line on the right side of the engine, had a hole burned into it. The fuel line had been improperly installed to within one inch of the exhaust pipe. Further examination revealed that the right main landing gear had been damaged by a "previous landing," and an aft engine mount had a break that "appeared to be old." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41HR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41HR-1999-08-24), registration cancelled 1999-08-24, S/N 006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Harmon RV-3 ROCKET (RV-3 ROCKE) - Registry model: [Harmon John M HARMON ROCK0T](https://openairdocs.org/model/harmon-john-m-harmon-rock0t) (registry code 05612FG) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 006 - Airframe hours: 729 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Schneeflock - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1996, 50 hours before - Departed: MB0, MADISON, MS - Destination: HOU - Airport: HOU, William P. Hobby, runway 12L, 5,148 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,596 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °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 19960617014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960617014179A), Jun 17, 1996: Amtr RV3, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Fire under feet on landing roll. Bailed out. Fuel line too close to exhaust overheated. Prior hard landing damage. (-23) after landing and while still on the… 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.