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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 23, 1994 · Grumman AA-1C · N9514U

Torrance, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Torrance, CA
Aircraft
Grumman AA-1C
Tail Number
N9514U
Operator
James S Thompson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX94LA223

AFTER COMPLETION OF A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT TAXIED OFF THE ACTIVE RUNWAY AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE AIRPLANE AND NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET FITTING WAS BROKEN. THE CARBURETOR FUEL LINE WAS CONNECTED TO A 4-INCH-LONG FUEL FLOW TRANSDUCER THAT WAS THEN CONNECTED TO THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET FITTING. A METALLURGIST REPORTED THAT THE FITTING APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN DUE TO FATIGUE. THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS DO NOT INCLUDE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF THE FUEL FLOW SYSTEM INSTALLATION. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 4.8 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

a fatigue failure of the carburetor fuel inlet fitting. A fuel flow system modification and an inadequate annual inspection were factors in the accident.

Full Narrative

On May 22, 1994, at 1759 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-1C, N9514U, experienced an engine fire after landing at Zamperini Field, Torrance, California. The airplane was being operated as an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country personal flight to Torrance when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Mesa Del Rey Airport, King City, California, about 1540 hours. The pilot reported that after landing on runway 29R and while taxiing on taxiway A, the engine quit. The pilot attempted to restart the engine and noticed flames around the engine compartment. The flames consumed the front half of the airplane before being extinguished. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Long Beach Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), inspected the airplane. He reported that a fuel line fitting to the carburetor appeared to have broken. The flexible fuel line to the carburetor was connected to a fuel flow transducer that was then attached to the carburetor fuel inlet fitting. The transducer was about 4 inches long. The fuel fitting was examined by a metallurgist at the request of the owner's insurance company. The metallurgist reported that the fitting appeared to have separated due to fatigue. A written report of the examination is included in this report. The engine had accrued 4.8 hours of operation since an annual inspection. The carburetor was overhauled as part of the inspection. The maintenance records do not include any documentation of the installation of the supplemental fuel flow system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:59 PDT
Nearest AirportZamperini Field (0nm)
Runway29R
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman AA-1C
Tail NumberN9514U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames S Thompson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data