# NTSB SEA07LA094: Cessna 172, N8340B, Chiriaco Summit, CA, April 7, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 2007, 17:00 local (Apr 7, 2007, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Chiriaco Summit, CA
- Coordinates: 33.665279, -115.710556
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6653&lon=-115.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA094

## Probable cause

Engine fire during start-up for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fuel system,primer system - activated

## Analysis

During engine start, an engine fire started and consumed the airplane.  The pilot applied primer and began to start the engine.  He heard a backfire and flames emitted from the engine.  He continued the engine start attempt; however, the flames became too excessive and the pilot and passenger were forced to evacuate the airplane.  Post accident examination of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator showed no mechanical malfunctions.

## Factual narrative

On April 6, 2007, at 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N8340B, was destroyed by fire while standing during engine start at Chiriaco Summit Airport, Chiriaco Summit, California.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured.  The pilot, who was also the registered owner of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was initiating when the accident occurred, and was destined for Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, Thermal, California.

The pilot reported that he and a passenger were preparing to depart for the return flight home.  He applied primer and began to start the engine.  The pilot heard a backfire and flames emitted from the engine.  He continued the engine start attempt.  When the flames became too excessive, the pilot and passenger exited the airplane.  By the time fire department personnel arrived, the fire had destroyed the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator examined the wreckage on April 28, 2007.  The entire aircraft was consumed by fire.  A large concentration of fire damage to the engine area was near the air inlet to the carburetor.  The carburetor was disassembled and no abnormalities were noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8340B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8340B-2009-04-08), registration cancelled 2009-04-08, S/N 36140, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36140
- Airframe hours: 3364
- Engines: Teledyne Continental O-300 170 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007, 5 hours before
- Departed: L77, Chiriaco Summit, CA
- Destination: TRM, J Cochran Rg AP, CA
- Airport: L77, Chiriaco Summit Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 554 total, 32 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.64 inHg
- Observed at: PSP, 41 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 20070406005539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070406005539A), Apr 6, 2007: Cessna 172, Chiriaco Summi, CA, Destroyed. (-23) During engine start at Chiriaco Summit Airport pilot noticed smoke coming out from under the engine cowling. Once the pilot and occupant exited, the…

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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