- Date
- March 28, 1993, 21:15 local (Mar 29, 1993, 05:15 UTC)
- Place
- Fresno, CA
- Injuries
- 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N758XYCessna 172K
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report June 30, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930328007439A
- Case key
- 28359
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the improper installation of an electrical wire bundle, and, the chaffing and subsequent arcing of the wires against a fuel line which resulted in a fire.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he and his three passengers were in cruise flight when a fire erupted under the cabin floor. He said he put the fire out using the airplane's hand held fire extinguisher. The pilot diverted to a closer airport and landed the airplane without further incident. An examination of the airplane by FAA safety inspectors revealed the fire began when an electrical wire bundle, located next to and touching a fuel line, abraded on the fuel line and arced. The electrical arc burned a hole in the fuel line which allowed fuel to leak. The leaking fuel ignited. The wire bundle was not supported which allowed it to rub against the fuel line. The airplane's operator reported that the wire's installation occurred prior to them obtaining the airplane.
Factual narrative
On March 28, 1993, about 2115 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172K, N758XY, had in inflight fire during cruise flight near Fresno, California. The fire was extinguished and the pilot was able to land the airplane safely. The airplane sustained substantial damage from the fire. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries and the two remaining passengers were not injured. The personal flight was being operated by Mazzei Flying Service of Fresno at the time. The flight originated in Coalinga, California, about 2045 hours and was destined for Fresno. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.
FAA safety inspectors examined the airplane and interviewed witnesses after the accident. They reported that an unsupported electrical wire bundle was routed over the fuel line under the cabin floor. The wire bundle abraded on the fuel line and arced. The electrical arc burned a hole in the fuel line which allowed fuel to leak. The leaking fuel ignited. The pilot reported that he used the airplane's hand held fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The pilot said he diverted from Fresno Air Terminal to Fresno Chandler Downtown Airport. The pilot landed safely at Fresno Chandler Downtown Airport about 2020 hours.
According to the operator, the electrical wire was installed prior to them obtaining the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N758XY
- Reported as
- Cessna 172K
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- R1723452
- Airframe hours
- 3,714
- Engine
- Continental IO-360KB, 195 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- In-Flight
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Golden Eagle Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Mazzei Flying Service
- Registered owner
- Sidney And Judy Siemer
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · November 6, 1992 · 91 hours before
- Departed
- 3O8 · Coalinga, CA
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 3,500 total · 500 in this make and model · 3,400 as pilot in command · 30 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- FA, 10 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.