Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 177 near Thermal, CA — 2015-09-24

Final reportWPR15LA267
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Date
2015-09-24
Location
Thermal, CA, USA
Airport
TRM
Aircraft
CESSNA 177
Registration
N3416T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

A fire in the engine compartment due to the pilot overpriming the hot engine.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after flying several legs of a cross-country flight, he landed the airplane to purchase fuel. After shutting down the engine and then topping off the wing tanks with fuel, the pilot attempted to start the engine; however, it would not turn over. He pumped the primer and then continued to crank the starter. He then observed a fire in the muffler area and continued to crank the starter in an attempt to suck the fire through the muffler. The engine never started, and the propeller did not turn. A postaccident examination revealed no catastrophic failures with the engine. However, white discoloration and excessive heat damage to the lower right firewall were found, indicating that the fire likely originated in this area. The fire was likely due to the pilot overpriming the induction system, which would have filled the carburetor air box with fuel and resulted in a fire starting in the lower firewall area.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have over-primed the engine before attempting to start it.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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