# NTSB LAX91LA235: Beech B95-B55, N14SC, Glendale, AZ, June 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1991, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.530925, -112.310256 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5309&lon=-112.3103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA235

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SECURE THE FUEL CAP DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. AS A RESULT, FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE WING TANK ONTO THE WING AND IGNITED DURING THE ENGINE START PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,cap - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (contributing factor)
  - wing - fire (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE DID NOT ENSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING FUEL CAP HAD BEEN LOCKED FOLLOWING REFUELING. WHEN THE PILOT AND HIS PILOT RATED PASSENGER WERE ON THEIR TAKEOFF ROLL THE PASSENGER OBSERVED FUEL SPILLING ON THE RIGHT WING. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND SHUT DOWN THE RIGHT ENGINE TO ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO SECURE THE CAP. WHEN THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT WING. THE OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRPLANE WITH ITS ENGINE RUNNING.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE STARTED ROLLING TOWARD BYSTANDERS  AND PARKED AIRPLANES, THE PILOT GRABBED ONTO ITS TAIL AND REDIRECTED IT INTO A POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14SC-2014-08-26), registration cancelled 2014-08-26, S/N TC-720, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B95-B55
- Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC-720
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470L 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jon A. Stevens
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: GEU, Glendale Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 681 total, 123 in this make and model, 610 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GEU, 1 nm away

## 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 19910601018539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910601018539A), Jun 1, 1991: Beech 95B55, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. On takeoff loose fuel cap spilled fuel. Aborted. Wing exploded on restart. Jumped out. Aircraft struck light pole.

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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