# NTSB LAX93LA159: Cessna 172K, N758XY, Fresno, CA, March 29, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 1993, 21:15 local (Mar 29, 1993, 05:15 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.790493, -119.759429 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7905&lon=-119.7594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28359/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA159 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, cruise - normal - electrical system,electric wiring - chafed (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing (cause) - fuel system,line - burned - fluid,fuel - fire ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N758XY-1998-09-15), registration cancelled 1998-09-15, S/N R1723452 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1723452 - Airframe hours: 3714 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19930328007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930328007439A), Mar 28, 1993: Cessna R172K, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Fire erupted under cabin floor. Put out by pilot. Unsupported wires abraded fuel line. Arced.burned hole in fuel line 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.