# NTSB MIA96LA136: Beech UC45J, N64819, Opa Locka, FL, May 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1996, 10:52 local (14:52 UTC) - Place: Opa Locka, FL - Coordinates: 25.909029, -80.269035 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9090&lon=-80.2690&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38016/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA136 ## Probable cause inadequate inspection of the fuel line connector by company maintenance personnel, and failure of a connector resulting in a fuel leak and fire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - fuel system,line - rotted/weathered (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,line - ruptured (cause) - fluid,fuel - leak (cause) - Fire, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ravine ## Analysis During departure, the rubber connector for the fuel supply line to the right engine oil dilution valve split at the dilution valve on the aft side of the firewall. The engine would not operate unless the electric boost pump was turned on. While returning to the departure airport, a fire erupted in the right wheel after the landing gear was extended. The cockpit filled with smoke during the landing rollout, and the pilot lost directional control do to not being able to see. The aircraft rolled into a canal and came to rest. The split rubber fuel line connector was dry and brittle and did not have any fire damage. No other sources of fuel leakage was found. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1996, about 1052 eastern daylight time, a Beech UC-45J, N64819, registered to Aero Caribe Express and operated by Sky Charters, Inc., as a 14 CFR part 91 positioning flight, had a fire in the right main gear wheel well and went off the runway into a canal while returning to Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Opa Locka, Florida, a few minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that during departure, while performing the climb checklist he turned off the electric boost pumps. The right engine began to run rough and he noticed the fuel pressure was zero. He turned the right electric boost pump back on, fuel pressure increased to normal levels, and the engine began to run normally. He elected to return to the departure airport. While en route back to the airport, he switched the right engine fuel selector from the main tank to the auxiliary tank position. He then turned off the electric boost pump, and fuel pressure again dropped to zero and the engine began to fail. He turned the electric boost pump back on and switched the right fuel selector back to the main tank position. While landing, the air traffic controller informed him that the right engine was on fire. He visually inspected the engine but did not see any flame or smoke. While shutting down the right engine, the cockpit immediately filled with smoke. He was unable to see, and while attempting to open the cockpit hatch the aircraft veered to the left. The aircraft entered a canal where it came to rest. Postcrash examination of the aircraft showed it had sustained fire damage in the right wheel well aft of the engine firewall. The right main landing gear wheel, which had been retracted for the flight and extended on short final approach, did not have any fire damage. The right engine driven fuel pump operated normally. A pressure check of all fuel lines showed a rubber fuel line had split and was leaking at the engine oil dilution valve on the aft side of the engine fire wall, upper outboard corner. This rubber fuel line connected a pressurized, metal fuel supply line from the carburetor to the inlet of the oil dilution valve. The line was dry and brittle and did not have any fire damage on it. No other fuel line leaks were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64819](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64819-1997-09-18), registration cancelled 1997-09-18, S/N 523762 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech UC45J - Registry model: [Beech RC-45J](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-rc-45j) (registry code 1151021) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52-3762 - Airframe hours: 4254 - Engines: P&W R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Charters, Inc. - Registered owner: Aero Caribe Express - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1996, 14 hours before - Departed: OPF - Destination: FXE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - Airport: OPF, Opa Locka, runway 9L, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,064 total, 2,245 in this make and model, 2,622 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F - 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 19960502009199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960502009199A), May 2, 1996: Beech RC45J, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Lost right engine fuel pump on climbout. Landing fire in same engine. Smoke blinded ran into canal. Fuel line leak. 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.