# NTSB LAX90LA107: Beech B-19, N24015, Chiriaco Summit, CA, February 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1990, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Chiriaco Summit, CA
- Coordinates: 33.71009, -116.229484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7101&lon=-116.2295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA107

## Probable cause

A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN DDURING ENGINE START.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)
  - other system - undetermined

## Analysis

AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO START THE ENGINE, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS SOON AS THE FIRE WAS OBSERVED, THE FUEL PUMP AND MIXTURE WERE TURNED OFF/CLOSED AND THE ENGINE WAS REPEATEDLY CRANKED OVER. THE FIRE SPREAD AND EVENTUALLY CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. THE MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM, AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE FUEL-FED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24015](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24015-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N MB-833, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B-19
- Registry model: [Beech B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b19) (registry code 1151215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB-833
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Wetzley
- Destination: TRM, THERMAL, CA
- Airport: L77, Chiriaco Summit

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900228003849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900228003849A), Feb 28, 1990: Beech B19, Chiriaco Summit, CA, Destroyed. Fifth try to start engine,fire erupted in intake. Failed to keep cranking after fuel off to draw fire into engine.

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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