# NTSB NYC95LA205: Cessna 172M, N9293H, Williamson, NY, August 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1995, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Williamson, NY
- Coordinates: 43.239192, -77.150192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2392&lon=-77.1502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA205

## Probable cause

the loss of engine power and the eruption of a fire for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, taxi - from landing
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Fire, taxi - from landing
  - reason for occurrence undetermined

## Analysis

The pilot landed and attempted to taxi to the ramp. When he added power from idle to 1000 rpm, the engine lost all power. He attempted to restart the engine, but there was a 'loud' backfire. The pilot reported 'a vapor-like smoke around the engine....flames surrounded the entire engine cowling.'  He attempted to extinguish the fire, but it grew stronger, and he was not successful. The engine and carburetor were examined in an effort to determine the origin of the fire. There was evidence 'that raw fuel entered the engine compartment and ignited.'  However, due to the fire damage, the origin of fuel entering the engine compartment was not determined.

## Factual narrative

On August 26, 1995, about 1550 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9293H, was destroyed while taxiing to the parking ramp, after landing, at the Perry Airport, Williamson, New York.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight.  The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane had landed on runway 28, and the pilot was taxiing to the ramp, when the engine lost total power.  According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:

...after putting power back to 1000 RPM from idle...the      airplane's engine stalled.  I...attempted to restart      the engine.  After approximately 30 seconds of cranking      on and off, with power set at 1/2 inch in, there was a      loud backfire and a vapor-like smoke around the      engine...flames surrounded the entire engine cowling.      My passenger and myself imediatly exited the aircraft,      and I grabbed the fire extinguisher...I tried to      extinguish the fire but it grew stronger...I ran to the      office...and found another extinguisher...I again tried      to extinguish the flames but was unable to.

The FAA examined the engine and carburetor, in an effort to determine the origin of the fire.  The examination reveled, "that raw fuel entered the engine compartment and ignited."  Due to fire damage, the origin of the fuel entering the engine compartment was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9293H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9293H-1996-09-03), registration cancelled 1996-09-03, S/N 17266073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266073
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Perry Warsaw Airport Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3G7
- Airport: 3G7, Perry, runway 28, 3,375 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 18 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19950826026069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950826026069A), Aug 26, 1995: Cessna 172M, Williamson, NY, Destroyed. Engine quit taxiing to ramp. Backfired on restart attempt. Fire erupted. Failed keep cranking draw it in overprime.

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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