Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 8KCAB near Bay St Louis, MS — 2014-03-30

Final reportERA14LA178
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Date
2014-03-30
Location
Bay St Louis, MS, USA
Airport
HSA
Aircraft
BELLANCA 8KCAB
Registration
N11FS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A sudden fuel leak, which resulted in a postlanding fire; the origin of the leak could not be determined due to fire damage.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after the airplane lifted off after several touch-and-go landings, he suddenly smelled fuel and observed streaming fuel. The fuel appeared to come from the fuel system header tank area and streamed onto the cockpit floor between his feet. He landed the airplane straight ahead and taxied clear of the active runway. The airplane caught fire, and the pilot exited through the cockpit door. Within a minute, the airplane was engulfed in flames. Airport rescue personnel responded and extinguished the fire. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that almost all of the fuel lines going to or coming from the header tank were completely burned away. Two sections of fuel and vent lines remained attached to the header tank and were examined; no evidence of pre-existing fatigue or cracking was observed. According to the pilot, who was also the owner, no recent maintenance had been performed in the area of the header tank. It is likely that a sudden leak occurred at a line to or from the header tank; however, the fire destroyed all evidence of its origin.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system before flight to prevent leak.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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