Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20R near La Veta, CO — 2010-01-17

Final reportCEN10LA098
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Date
2010-01-17
Location
La Veta, CO, USA
Airport
07V
Aircraft
MOONEY M20R
Registration
N782LU
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

A fuel leak and subsequent fire due to a mechanical defect.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had just made a turn during taxi when he heard a “pop” and saw smoke and flames coming from the engine area. He stopped the plane, shut down the engine, and exited the airplane as the fuselage became engulfed in flames. By the time the fire was extinguished the fuselage had been mostly consumed by fire. Examination of the wreckage revealed a localized area of high temperature thermal damage in the engine compartment located directly behind the fuel flow transducer. Examination of the fuel transducer revealed the outlet fuel line was loose at the crimp of the fuel line connector where it attached to the outlet elbow. Upon removal, a portion of interior rubber hose was found missing from underneath the steel braid as well as a portion of steel braiding. The missing portion of the steel braid was absent pre-fire, which interfered with the crimp seal and subsequently resulted in a fuel leak and fire. The cause of the missing steel braid was not determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel lines before taxiing to prevent fire.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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