# NTSB MIA97LA134: Navion A, N40FL, Quincy, FL, April 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 1997, 14:26 local (18:26 UTC) - Place: Quincy, FL - Coordinates: 30.579658, -84.580398 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5797&lon=-84.5804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38260 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38260/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA134 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - maintenance,annual inspection - performed - electrical system,electric wiring - chafed (cause) - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing (cause) - fuselage,crew compartment - fire (cause) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40FL-2013-09-10), registration cancelled 2013-09-10, S/N NAV-4-856, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Navion A - Registry model: [Navion NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (registry code 6150104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4-856 - Airframe hours: 1413 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970410005839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970410005839A), Apr 10, 1997: Tmpson NAVIONA, Quincy, FL, Substantial damage. On final smelled electrical fire and heat on legs. Landed. Fire erupted. Battery cabble shorted at firewall. (-23) on Thursday, April 10, 1997, at… 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.