# NTSB MIA94LA019: Cessna 421, N1600B, Miami, FL, November 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1993, 18:52 local (23:52 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.910215, -80.270858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9102&lon=-80.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA019

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO OBTAIN THE PROPER ASSISTANCE AFTER BEING NOTIFIED OF A FUEL LEAK FROM THE LEFT WING FUEL TANKS AFTER REFUELING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,tank - leak
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER THE FUEL TANKS WERE FILLED, THE LINEMAN OBSERVED FUEL ON THE GROUND NEAR THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR.  THE LINEMAN NOTIFIED THE PILOT OF THIS WHO RESPONDED THAT THE LEAKAGE WAS DUE TO OVERFILLING OF THE TANKS.  THE AIRPLANE WAS MOVED AND DURING THE LEFT ENGINE START, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE NEAR THE LEFT ENGINE NACELLE AREA.

## Factual narrative

On November 10, 1993, about 1852 eastern standard time, a Cessna 421, N1600B, listed by the FAA as being sold to Spec Industry and Commerce Ltda of Brazil, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a fire in the vicinity of the left wing during engine start.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

After the fuel tanks were filled, the lineman noticed a fuel leak under the left wing and advised the pilot of this.  The pilot told him that the fuel leak was because the fuel tanks were overfilled.  The airplane was then pushed forward and when the pilot was starting the left engine, the engine backfired and an explosion occurred, followed by a fire near the engine nacelle area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1600B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1600B-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 421-0092, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Registry model: [Cessna 421](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (registry code 2076010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421-0092
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Spec Ind. Com. Ltda
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: GTK, GRAND TURK, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OPF, Opa-Locka

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 40° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF, 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 19931110042579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931110042579A), Nov 10, 1993: Cessna 421, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Warned fuel leak left wing. Ignored. Backfire on engine start. Left wing exploded. Ground crew overfilled tank.

## Other investigations on N1600B (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC81FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FA035), May 18, 1981: Cessna 421 (N1600B), Spencer, IA, substantial damage

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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