Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28 near Raleigh/Durham, NC — 2023-01-23

Final reportERA23LA118
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Date
2023-01-23
Location
Raleigh/Durham, NC, USA
Airport
RDU
Aircraft
PIPER PA28
Registration
N747PK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's flooding the engine with fuel during a cold engine start, which resulted in an engine fire.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and his passenger prepared for a night flight in the flying club’s airplane to maintain the pilot’s currency. He tried to start the engine three times, priming the engine a total of 11 times, and “pumping” the throttle during one attempt, but it did not start. Concerned that he may have flooded the engine, he waited 5 minutes before attempting another start with full throttle and mixture at idle/cutoff. After this attempt, the passenger noted smoke and he realized that the engine was on fire. He told his passenger to egress and attempted to extinguish the fire with the onboard fire extinguisher; however, the fire substantially damaged the airplane’s the fuselage, engine mounts, and firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook for the airplane suggested priming 1 to 3 times before engine start.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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