# NTSB WPR09LA418: Cessna 177, N30715, Chandler, AZ, August 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2009, 16:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.269165, -111.811111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2692&lon=-111.8111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74606 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA418 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74606/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74606 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA418 ## Probable cause An on-ground fire in the engine compartment for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause) ## Analysis After attempting to start the engine four times without success the pilot called his flight instructor, who advised him to use the "flooded" procedure. Following an unsuccessful start attempt using the flooded procedure, the pilot was going through the checklist when he heard a "pop" sound, then observed dark smoke coming from the engine. The pilot then exited the airplane while first responders extinguished the fire. The pilot stated that a second fire erupted in the engine compartment and "...the airplane's engine started and the propeller started spinning." The airplane was subsequently destroyed by fire damage. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed extensive fire damage to the engine and forward part of the airframe, which precluded determination of the reason for the fire. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2009, about 1625 mountain standard time, a Cessna 177B, N30715, was destroyed by fire while standing following multiple unsuccessful attempts to start the airplane's engine at the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The proposed personal cross-country flight was destined for the Tucson International Airport (TUC), Tucson, Arizona. The pilot reported that after dropping off a friend, he waited for about one-half hour before attempting to start the airplane's engine. The pilot stated that on the first attempt to start the engine it failed to start, and that he did not prime it. On the second start attempt the pilot gave the engine one stroke of prime, on the third attempt he gave it two strokes of prime, and on the fourth attempt he gave it three strokes of prime; each attempt to start the engine was unsuccessful. The pilot revealed he then called his flight instructor, who advised him to use the "flooded" procedure. The pilot tried the procedure but was still unable to start the engine. The pilot stated that after securing the engine, "…I tried to go through the checklist to make certain that I didn't do anything wrong. While I was going through the checklist I heard a 'pop' sound, and lifting up my head I saw dark smoke coming out from the engine, and soon after I saw fire too, so I exited the aircraft." The pilot reported that first responders were successful in extinguishing the first fire. However, after the second fire began "…the airplane's engine started and the propeller started spinning." The airplane was subsequently destroyed by fire damage. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed extensive fire damage to the engine and forward part of the airframe, which precluded determination of the reason for the fire. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30715](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30715-2010-04-22), registration cancelled 2010-04-22, S/N 17701418, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701418 - Airframe hours: 14263 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sonoran Wings - Registered owner: P3 Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 2009, 50 hours before - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: TUC, Tucson, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 9 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: CHD1 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74606. 560 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 2, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.