# NTSB LAX85LA263: Cessna TR 182, N737YN, Mesa, AZ, May 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1985, 16:13 local (23:13 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430488, -111.710037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4305&lon=-111.7100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA263

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system,electric wiring - previous damage
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - shorted
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Fire, descent
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT A FIRE ERUPTED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & THE ACFT WAS RETURNED FOR LANDING. DURING ROLL OUT 6 INCH LONG FLAMES, SMOKE & NOXIOUS FUMES FILLED THE COCKPIT. WHEN THE ACFT SLOWED TO 10 MPH THE PLTS EXITED THE ACFT & THEREAFTER IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE 15 AMP RATED WIRE 'DA1,' WHICH ROUTES CURRENT BETWEEN THE AMMETER, THE FLAP SWITCH & THE CIRCUIT BREAKER/BUS TERMINAL CONNECTOR HAD SHORTED & HAD FUSED ONTO THE CARBURETOR HEAD CONTROL LEVER. DURING MANUFACTURE OF THE ACFT THE WIRE IS NOT ROUTED AGAINST THE CARB. HEAT CONTROL LEVER. HOWEVER, DURING MAINTENANCE OF THE NEARBY GEAR SELECTOR LINES WIRE DA1 COULD BE IMPROPERLY REROUTED & THUS PRESSED AGAINST THE CARBURETOR CONTROL LEVER WHICH MAY RESULT IN EVENTUAL WEAR & ELECTRICAL SHORTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737YN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737YN-1991-03-21), registration cancelled 1991-03-21, S/N R18200896 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR 182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R 18200896
- Airframe hours: 1182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3CSD 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Superstition Air Serv., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1985, 25 hours before
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Fld, runway 4, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,550 total, 17 in this make and model, 1,410 as pilot in command, 311 in the last 90 days, 121 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFZ

## 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 19850529020469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850529020469A), May 29, 1985: Cessna TR182, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed. DA1 flap switch wire rubbed against carburetor heat control. Shorted, started panel fire. Landed safely, 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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