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NTSB Report
January 16, 1990 · Cessna 172 · N9093H
Danbury, CT
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Danbury, CT
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N9093H
Operator
Reliant Pilot Training Center
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90LA056
THE CESSNA 172 WAS INVOLVED IN A CARBURETOR FIRE ON 1/13/90 & TAKEN TO A HANGAR WHERE THE AIR CLEANER & CARBURETOR WERE REMOVED. THE FUEL LINE WAS NOT CAPPED & THE LOWER COWLING WAS REATTACHED WITH ONLY TWO SCREWS HOLDING IT. NO PLACARD WAS PLACED IN THE COCKPIT NOR WAS THE KEY MADE UNAVAILABLE FOR RENTAL. THE PLANE WAS RETURNED TO THE LINE FOR PARKING. THREE DAYS LATER, A PILOT CAME TO THE AIRPORT, ASKED THE ATTENDANT FOR THE KEY & PROCEEDED TO THE PLANE. HE SAID HE MADE A PREFLIGHT 'USING THE MANUAL.' HE THEN ENTERED THE COCKPIT & ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, A FIRE ERUPTED & THE PLT EXITED THE AIRPLANE THROUGH THE FIRE, RECEIVING BURNS.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE BY THE COMPANY/OPERATOR, AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE DURING AN ATTEMPTED ENGINE START. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE UNSECURED FUEL LINE.
Full Narrative
THE CESSNA 172 WAS INVOLVED IN A CARBURETOR FIRE ON 1/13/90 & TAKEN TO A HANGAR WHERE THE AIR CLEANER & CARBURETOR WERE REMOVED. THE FUEL LINE WAS NOT CAPPED & THE LOWER COWLING WAS REATTACHED WITH ONLY TWO SCREWS HOLDING IT. NO PLACARD WAS PLACED IN THE COCKPIT NOR WAS THE KEY MADE UNAVAILABLE FOR RENTAL. THE PLANE WAS RETURNED TO THE LINE FOR PARKING. THREE DAYS LATER, A PILOT CAME TO THE AIRPORT, ASKED THE ATTENDANT FOR THE KEY & PROCEEDED TO THE PLANE. HE SAID HE MADE A PREFLIGHT 'USING THE MANUAL.' HE THEN ENTERED THE COCKPIT & ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, A FIRE ERUPTED & THE PLT EXITED THE AIRPLANE THROUGH THE FIRE, RECEIVING BURNS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EST
Nearest AirportDANBURY (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN9093H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorReliant Pilot Training Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourceWFAC