# NTSB LAX91FA386: Cessna 172K, N7031G, Bullhead City, AZ, September 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1991, 21:55 local (Sep 8, 1991, 04:55 UTC)
- Place: Bullhead City, AZ
- Location: 35.1478° N, 114.5683° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bullhead City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1478&lon=-114.5683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA386
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA386

## Probable cause

1) A SHORT CIRCUIT, 2) ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WHICH IGNITED THE CABIN INTERIOR, 3) INADEQUATE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION, AND 4) INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN STANDARDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, cruise
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - inadequate (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer, manufacturer (cause)
  - electrical system - shorted (cause)
  - electrical system - overload (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - light condition - dark night
  - diverted attention, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ATP CERTIFICATED PILOT AND HIS WIFE HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 35 MINUTES AND WERE APPROACHING AN AIRPORT FOR LANDING WHEN SHE STATED THAT THEY HAD AN INFLIGHT CABIN FIRE.  THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, WHERE THEY HAD JUST BEEN MARRIED. PRIOR TO REACHING THE INTENDED AIRPORT, SHE STATED THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE OVERHEAD LIGHT CONSOLE WHICH HOUSES 2 RHEOSTATS AND A LIGHT SWITCH. THE FIRE BEGAN TO BURN THE HEADLINER AND PLASTIC CONSOLE. THE BURNING PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING ONTO THEIR BODIES.  THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL NEAR THE RUNWAY IN THE DIRT AND WAS DESTROYED.  THE CABIN FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT.  A DUPLICATE CONSOLE WAS TESTED. WHEN THE DOOR POST LIGHT WAS SHORTED, THE LIGHTING RHEOSTAT IN THE CONSOLE REACHED IN EXCESS OF 1425 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT A CIRCUIT LOAD 6 AMPS MAXIMUM.  THE CIRCUIT IS PROTECTED BY A 10 AMP BREAKER.  THE OVERHEAD CABIN PLASTIC MATERIAL WAS FOUND TO READILY BURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7031G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7031G-1992-02-10), registration cancelled 1992-02-10, S/N 17258731 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258731
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheble Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Sheble Aviation Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: BUT, BLYTHE, CA
- Airport: PO6, Bullhead City, runway 17, 4,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,832 total, 61 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910907038769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910907038769A), Sep 7, 1991: Cessna 172K, Bullhead City, AZ, Destroyed. Fire in cabin overhead. Collided with ground trying to make airport. Rheostat controlling panel lights overheated.

## Other investigations on N7031G (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX80DUG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUG21), Feb 17, 1980: Cessna 172K (N7031G), Blythe, CA, substantial damage

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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