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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 3, 1992 · Cessna 421B · N11BU

Hayward, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hayward, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 421B
Tail Number
N11BU
Operator
Professional Pilot Associates
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX92LA276

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVERPRIMED THE RIGHT ENGINE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START IT. DURING THE START OPERATION, AN ACCUMULATION OF FUEL VAPOR LOCATED OUTBOARD OF THE RIGHT ENGINE EXPLODED AND RIPPED OPEN A YARD LONG PORTION OF THE RIGHT WING'S UPPER SKIN PANELS. EVIDENCE WAS OBSERVED OF AN UNCORRECTED PREEXISTING FUEL LEAK IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT ENGINE'S AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS AN A & P MECHANIC, AND HE OWNED, OPERATED AND MAINTAINED THE AIRPLANE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE EXPLOSION OF FUEL VAPORS IN THE RIGHT WING DUE TO THE PILOT'S OVERPRIMING OF THE RIGHT ENGINE DURING A START ATTEMPT AND AN UNCORRECTED PREEXISTING FUEL SYSTEM LEAK. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVERPRIMED THE RIGHT ENGINE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START IT. DURING THE START OPERATION, AN ACCUMULATION OF FUEL VAPOR LOCATED OUTBOARD OF THE RIGHT ENGINE EXPLODED AND RIPPED OPEN A YARD LONG PORTION OF THE RIGHT WING'S UPPER SKIN PANELS. EVIDENCE WAS OBSERVED OF AN UNCORRECTED PREEXISTING FUEL LEAK IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT ENGINE'S AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS AN A & P MECHANIC, AND HE OWNED, OPERATED AND MAINTAINED THE AIRPLANE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 PDT
Nearest AirportHAYWARD (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421B
Tail NumberN11BU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorProfessional Pilot Associates
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520H · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data