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NTSB Report
December 5, 1990 · Cessna 172N · N6297D
Plano, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 5, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plano, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N6297D
Operator
Stranmel Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91LA020
AFTER HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE ABOUT 15 TIMES AND PRIMING IT THREE TIMES THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A START. HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE HIT THREE TIMES AND THEN STOPPED. HE SUBSEQUENTLY PRIMED THE ENGINE TWO MORE TIMES AND ATTEMPTED A SECOND START. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ENGINE HIT ONCE AND THEN HE OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE COWLING. HE ABANDONED THE AIRPLANE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED. IT APPEARED THAT THE FIRE ORGINATED IN THE AREA OF THE AIR INTAKE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE APPROVED START PROCEDURES WHICH RESULTED IN AN INDUCTION FIRE AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE AIRPLANE.
Full Narrative
AFTER HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE ABOUT 15 TIMES AND PRIMING IT THREE TIMES THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A START. HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE HIT THREE TIMES AND THEN STOPPED. HE SUBSEQUENTLY PRIMED THE ENGINE TWO MORE TIMES AND ATTEMPTED A SECOND START. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ENGINE HIT ONCE AND THEN HE OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE COWLING. HE ABANDONED THE AIRPLANE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED. IT APPEARED THAT THE FIRE ORGINATED IN THE AREA OF THE AIR INTAKE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:23 CST
Nearest AirportDallas North (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN6297D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorStranmel Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 10 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:47
Weather SourceWFAC