# NTSB FTW97LA309: Beech F33A, N234PM, Monroe, LA, June 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 1997, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Monroe, LA - Coordinates: 32.50983, -92.079566 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5098&lon=-92.0796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20312/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA309 ## Probable cause an electrical short, which burned a hole in a fuel line, and subsequent fire from the burning fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, climb - to cruise - electrical system,electric wiring - shorted (cause) - fuel system,line - burned (cause) - fluid,fuel - leak (cause) - fluid,fuel - fire (cause) - fuselage,crew compartment - fumes ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had 'picked up' his airplane that morning after an annual inspection. He reported that he flew home to Delhi for a short stop, then proceeded to the Monroe Airport for some avionics repairs. After the work was completed, he departed for Delhi. During departure, at about 2000 ft agl and 5 miles from the departure airport, the pilot 'detected an odor similar to an electrical burnout.' He stated that he detected no onboard problems and decided the smell was coming from outside. He reported that approximately 45 seconds later, a flame ignited from behind the fuel selector valve. He stated that he 'immediately did a 180 degree turn and attempted to get Monroe approach on the radio,' but the radios were inoperable. The pilot reported that on short final approach for landing, 'I opened the passenger door and fortunately this snuffed out the flame.' After landing, maintenance personnel found two loose wires next to a hole in the fuel line and 'gasoline was running out of the fuselage onto the ramp.' The carry through spar had to be replaced due to thermal damage. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 1997, at 1725 central daylight time, a Beech F33A airplane, N234PM, was substantially damaged by a cabin fire during initial climb following departure from Monroe Regional Airport near Monroe, Louisiana. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated from Monroe, Louisiana, approximately 10 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, he had picked up his airplane that morning from its annual inspection at Vicksburg Tallulah Regional Airport near Tallulah, Louisiana. The pilot reported that he flew home to Delhi for a short stop and then proceeded on to the Monroe Airport for some avionics repairs. After the work was completed, he departed for Delhi. Approximately 2000 feet agl and 5 miles out, the pilot "detected an odor similar to an electrical burnout." The pilot stated that he detected no onboard problems and decided the smell was coming from outside. The pilot reported that approximately 45 seconds later a flame ignited from behind the fuel selector valve. He "attempted to extinguish the flame with no success." He stated that he "immediately did a 180 degree turn and attempted to get Monroe approach on the radio." The pilot stated that his radios had gone dead so he changed his transponder code to 7700. On short final, the pilot reported that "I opened the passenger door and fortunately this snuffed out the flame." After landing the airplane, maintenance personnel "disconnected the battery, removed the pilot's seat, and removed the cover over the fuel selector valve to be sure there was no smoldering fire." Two loose wires were found next to a hole in the fuel line and "gasoline was running out of the fuselage onto the ramp." The carry through spar was subsequently replaced due to thermal damage. During the course of the investigation, it could not be determined if maintenance personnel who performed the annual inspection or the avionics work had opened the fuel selector valve cover. The pilot reported the accident to NTSB on August 12, 1997. The delay was due to time spent in determining the extent of airplane damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: N234PM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech F33A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CE-964 - Airframe hours: 2562 - Engines: Continental IO-520-BB16 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank E. Maxwell, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: MLU ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,561 total, 741 in this make and model, 1,561 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 19970627022559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970627022559A), Jun 27, 1997: Beech F33A, Monroe, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot smelled electrical burn fumes on takeoff, fire came from fuel selector valve. (-23) all information provided by jim struhsaker, NTSB, on August 13, 1997,… 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.