# NTSB MIA88LA037: Mandley Steen Skybolt, N44JM, Placida, FL, November 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1987, 14:52 local (19:52 UTC)
- Place: Placida, FL
- Coordinates: 26.849296, -82.280441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8493&lon=-82.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - engine assembly - fire
  - fire extinguishing equipment - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENG THE PLT HEARD IT BACKFIRE & THEN OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE ENG COWLING. HE THEN IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE ACFT & LEFT THE SCENE TO SUMMON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE LATER RETURNED TO FIND THE AIRCRAFT CONSUMED BY FIRE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND NO FIRE GUARD WAS POSTED OUTSIDE THE ACFT DURING THE ENG START. IT IS CONSIDERED GOOD GENERAL PRACTICE TO CONTINUE MOTORING THE ENG AFTER A BACKFIRE TO BLOW EXISTING FIRE OUT OF THE ENG AREA THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44JM-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 1, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MANDLEY STEEN SKYBOLT (STEEN SKYB)
- Registry model: [Mandley STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/mandley-steen-skybolt) (registry code 0565506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ledward, Richard
- Registered owner: Ledward, Richard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: X14, LABELLE, FL
- Airport: X54, Rotonda

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,481 total, 37 in this make and model, 5,285 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 26 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 19871116069269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871116069269A), Nov 16, 1987: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Placida, FL, Destroyed. Engine fire erupted during starting. No fire extinguisher. Aircraft consumed by fire. Backfire and flooded factors

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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