# NTSB MKC87LA183: Cessna 401, N2UE, Ames, IA, September 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1987, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ames, IA
- Coordinates: 42.02003, -93.620086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0200&lon=-93.6201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - exhaust system,stack - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - melted (cause)

## Analysis

THE UNSKED PAX FLT WAS CLIMBING TO CRUISE ALTITUDE HAVING JUST DEPTD AMES, IA, WHEN THE PIC NOTICED A FIRE IN THE LEFT ENG. THE PIC ABORTED THE CLIMB AND RETURNED TO AMES.  THE LEFT ENG WAS SECURED BEFORE LNDG WHICH WAS UNEVENTFUL. A POST-FIRE INSP OF THE ENG COMPARTMENT REVEALED A SEPARATED PORTION OF THE EXHAUST NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT. SEPARATION OF THE COMPONENTS ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO MELT A FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH CAUGHT FIRE. THE ACFT WAS INSPECTED 50 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE INFLT FIRE AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE AIRWORTHY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2UE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2UE-1996-03-06), registration cancelled 1996-03-06, S/N 4010022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Registry model: [Cessna 401](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401) (registry code 207590C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0022
- Airframe hours: 4280
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Jet Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Naeir
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AMW
- Destination: GBG, GALESBURG, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,050 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 25 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 19870930082029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870930082029A), Sep 30, 1987: Cessna 401, Ames, IA, Substantial damage. During climb, in flight fire in right engine. Exhaust stack broke, hot gas melted fuel line. Returned.

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.