# NTSB SEA08LA216: Brennan RV-8, N272RS, Idaho Falls, ID, October 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 30, 2008, 18:25 local (Oct 1, 2008, 00:25 UTC) - Place: Idaho Falls, ID - Coordinates: 43.06361, -112.070556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0636&lon=-112.0706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69220 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69220/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA216 ## Probable cause The on-ground fire during taxi due to a loose fuel line "B" nut. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Misc hardware: hoses and tubes](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071410/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis While taxiing to the runway for departure, the pilot noticed flames entering the cockpit below his feet. He immediately stopped the airplane and shut the engine down and he and his passenger exited the airplane. The airport’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) team responded and extinguished the fire, which was originating from the engine compartment. A few minutes later, the fire reportedly ignited a second time and was immediately extinguished by ARFF personnel. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine firewall was fire damaged and buckled. A "B" nut attaching the firewall end of the fuel line from the firewall to the engine driven fuel pump was found "finger tight." When the airplane was placed in a tail high attitude, fuel was observed leaking from this fitting. The reason for the loose "B" nut was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On September 30, 2008, about 1825 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Brennan RV-8 experimental airplane, N272RS, was substantially damaged by an on-ground fire while taxiing for departure at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), Idaho Falls, Idaho. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The cross-country personal flight was originating at the time of the accident with a planned destination of Heber, Utah. The pilot reported that while taxiing to the runway for departure, he noticed flames entering the cockpit below his feet. He immediately stopped the airplane and shut the engine down as he and his passenger exited the airplane. The airport's Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) team responded and extinguished the fire, which was originating from the engine compartment. A few minutes later, the fire reportedly ignited a second time and was immediately extinguished by ARFF personnel. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the firewall was severely fire damaged and buckled. The engine compartment and forward portion of the fuselage were thermally damaged. Examination of the airplane by a local mechanic revealed that a "B" nut attaching the firewall end of the fuel line from the firewall to the engine driven fuel pump was found "finger tight." When the airplane was placed in a tail high attitude, fuel was observed leaking from this fitting. The mechanic stated that after the ARFF team extinguished the fire, he disconnected the battery. Prior to disconnecting the battery, he noted that the electric fuel boost pump was on. The reason for the loose "B" nut was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: N272RS (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Brennan RV-8 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81896 - Airframe hours: 131 - Engines: Superior XP360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George Brennan - Registered owner: George Brennan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 2008, 9 hours before - Departed: IDA, Idaho Falls, ID - Destination: 36U, Heber, UT - Airport: IDA, Idaho Falls Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 25,700 total, 131 in this make and model, 17,800 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: IDA ## 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 20080930848179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080930848179A), Sep 30, 2008: Amtr RV8, Idaho Falls, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was taxiing for takeoff, when the pilots started to feel excessive heat, looked down and saw flames near his feet. He stopped the aircraft,… 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.