- Date
- April 10, 1997, 14:26 local (18:26 UTC)
- Place
- Quincy, FL
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N40FLNavion A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 31, 1997
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19970410005839A
- Case key
- 38260
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
chafing of an electrical cable that was routed through the firewall, which resulted in electrical arching and an in-flight 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 airplane was on a test flight after completion of an annual inspection. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, he first smelled an electrical fire, then felt heat on his legs. He remained in the pattern and landed. After exiting the airplane, a fire erupted in the cockpit area. Bystanders used water to help extinguish the fire. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed electrical arching on the firewall from a cable that went through the firewall. The electrical cable was routed from the battery relay (aft of the aft seat) to the starter relay, which was on the upper right section of the firewall. The mechanic, who performed the inspection, used the manufacturers checklist. Reportedly, no work had been performed on the instrument panel.
Factual narrative
On April 10, 1997, about 1426 eastern daylight time, a Navion A, N40FL, registered to Piggy Bank Motors Company, was substantially damaged by fire after landing at the Quincy Municipal Airport, Quincy, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the maintenance test flight. The private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier.
The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that he intended to remain in the traffic pattern after takeoff and while on final approach, he smelled what he thought was an electrical fire and felt heat by his legs. He landed and after stopping the airplane, fire erupted in the cockpit. He then exited the airplane and bystanders extinguished the fire using water.
According to the FAA inspector, the airplane had been to the facility for an annual inspection and reportedly no work was performed to the instrument panel. The mechanic who performed the annual inspection reported using the airplane manufacturers checklist. The mechanic also stated that postaccident examination of the airplane revealed electrical arching at the firewall where the electrical cable from the battery relay to the starter relay transits through. The battery in the airplane is located aft of the aft seat on the left side of the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N40FL
- Reported as
- Navion A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 4-856
- Airframe hours
- 1,413
- Engine
- Continental E-225-4, 225 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- In-Flight
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- John G. Brennan
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 1, 1997
- Departed
- 2J9
- Airport
- 2J9 · Quincy Municipal
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
- Age
- 56
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 862 total · 113 in this make and model · 771 as pilot in command · 2 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- TLH, 15 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.