Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW00LA251

BETHANY, OK, USA

Aircraft #1

N84DE

Beech BE58

Analysis

The commercial pilot made an uneventful landing and was taxiing the twin-engine airplane off of the runway when the right engine lost power. The pilot restarted the engine; however, the engine soon lost power again. The pilot was attempting a third start when the passenger noticed a fire near the right wing engine compartment. The pilot stated that he pulled the right engine mixture to idle cut-off and continued cranking the engine in an attempt to suck the fire into the intake manifold. The fire continued to burn, and the pilot and passenger exited the aircraft and attempted to find help. The fire extinguished on its own accord. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, and a mechanic, who examined the aircraft after the event, there was no evidence of ruptured fuel lines or loose fittings.

Factual Information

On September 06, 2000, at 0952 central daylight time, a Beech BE58 twin-engine airplane, N84DE, was substantially damaged when the right wing sustained fire damage while taxiing after landing at the Wiley Post Airport, near Bethany, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Davidson Transport, Inc., of Ruston, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The local flight originated from the Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he was flying the airplane to the Wiley Post Airport so the nose radome cover could be painted. The pilot stated that the landing was uneventful, and he was taxiing the airplane off of the runway when the right engine lost power. The pilot restarted the engine; however, the engine soon lost power again. The pilot was attempting a third start when the passenger noticed a fire near the right wing engine compartment. The pilot stated that he pulled the right engine mixture to idle cut-off and continued cranking the engine in an attempt to suck the fire into the intake manifold. The fire continued to burn and the pilot and passenger exited the aircraft and attempted to find help. The fire extinguished on its own accord. The airplane's fuselage and right wing sustained structural damage as a result of the fire. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, and a mechanic, who examined the aircraft after the event, there was no evidence of ruptured fuel lines or loose fittings. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful.

Probable Cause and Findings

the fire, which ignited in the engine compartment for undetermined reasons while taxiing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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