Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC93IA115

NOME, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N9984M

CESSNA 207

Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT A FIRE ERUPTED BENEATH THE CABIN FLOOR DIRECTLY BENEATH THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. UPON LANDING THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH THE AIRPLANE'S FIRE EXTINGUISHER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED THAT AN ELECTRICAL WIRE HAD BEEN TIE WRAPPED TO A FUEL LINE. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE HAD CHAFFED THROUGH AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHO PERFORMED ANY WORK IN THAT AREA.

Factual Information

On July 9, 1993, at 1030 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, registered to and operated by Baker Aviation of Kotzebue, Alaska, experienced an in flight fire in the cabin under the right front seat. The scheduled flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, departed Nome, Alaska, and the destination was White Mountain, Alaska. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Airline Transport certificated Pilot-in-Command and his passenger were not injured and the airplane received minor damage. According to Larry Williams, the Director of Operations for Baker Aviation, an electrical wire had been tie wrapped to a fuel line located under the cabin floor directly beneath the right front seat. The electrical wire was chaffed through the insulation and the fuel line had a hole. The fire was extinguished with a hand held fire extinguisher. The Operator could not determine who had done any work in the area of the fire.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE CHAFED FUEL LINE AND CHAFED ELECTRICAL WIRE AND THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE USED TO SECURE THE ELECTRICAL WIRE WITH A TIE WRAP.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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