# NTSB LAX91LA195: Cessna U206, N2160F, Tulare, CA, May 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1991, 13:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Tulare, CA
- Coordinates: 36.180339, -119.359184 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1803&lon=-119.3592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA195

## Probable cause

AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE IN THE CABIN/CREW COMPARTMENT AREA OF THE AIRCRAFT, DUE TO FAILURE OF A FUEL LINE LOCATED IN THE LEFT DOORPOST AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - failure,total (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
  - evacuation - performed, pilot in command
  - evacuation - performed, passenger

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE RETURNING FROM A SHORT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO DO A TOUCH AND GO LANDING.  AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING OUT, THE PASSENGER NOTICED A SMALL FLAME ON THE SIDE PANEL, ABOUT 6 INCHES FORWARD OF THE LEFT DOOR POST.  THE PILOT EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE RUNWAY. THE FLAMES IN THE COCKPIT RAPIDLY SPREAD AROUND THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND UP INTO THE OVERHEAD CEILING.  DUE TO THE HEAT AND SMOKE, THE PASSENGER AND PILOT JUMPED FROM THE AIRPLANE AS IT WAS STILL MOVING DOWN THE RUNWAY AT ABOUT 30 MPH.  THE UNOCCUPIED AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND ROLLED TO A STOP BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY.  THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.  THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE FROM A FUEL LINE LOCATED IN THE LEFT FRONT DOORPOST AREA.  ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THE LANDING AND POSITION LIGHTS WAS ALSO ROUTED THROUGH THE DOOR POST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2160F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2160F-1991-08-07), registration cancelled 1991-08-07, S/N U2060360 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206
- Registry model: [Cessna U206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206) (registry code 2073306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-0360
- Airframe hours: 6308
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joyce J. Brunson, doing business as Ca Agricultural Aeronautic Inc
- Registered owner: Joyce J. Brunson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: 042, WOODLAKE, CA
- Airport: TLR, Mefford Field, runway 13, 3,914 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 875 total, 6 in this make and model, 803 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19910505014099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910505014099A), May 5, 1991: Cessna U206, Tulare, CA, Destroyed. Fire erupted in flight near forward door post. Landed and aircraft totally burned. Fuel line and wires in door post

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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