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NTSB Report
February 25, 1989 · Cessna 182RG · N4314R
Ft. Madison, IA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Ft. Madison, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 182RG
Tail Number
N4314R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA066
THE PLT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND DURING INITIAL CLIMB, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE DEFROSTER VENT ON THE PAX SIDE. TURNING DOWNWIND, THE SMOKE BECAME WORSE AND ERUPTED INTO A FIRE. THE SMOKE, ALONG WITH THE CHARRED WINDSIELD, LIMITED VISIBILITY TO THE POINT THAT THE PAX DOOR AND THE PILOT'S WINDOW WERE OPENED BY THE CREW. THIS CAUSED THE FIRE TO BURN MORE INTENSELY. THE PLT EXISTED THE ACFT AFTER LANDING AND COMING TO A FULL STOP. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FBO. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE HOT WIRE FROM THE AMPERAGE METER WAS RUBBING ON THE FUEL PRESSURE INDICATOR LINE, HAD SHORTED AND BURNED THROUGH, CAUSING THE INFLIGHT FIRE IN THE COCKPIT. THE ACFT WAS OVERDUE ANNUAL AND HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 234 HRS OF FLIGHT TIME SINCE THE LAST INSPECTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORT THAT CAUSED AN IN FLIGHT FIRE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND DURING INITIAL CLIMB, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE DEFROSTER VENT ON THE PAX SIDE. TURNING DOWNWIND, THE SMOKE BECAME WORSE AND ERUPTED INTO A FIRE. THE SMOKE, ALONG WITH THE CHARRED WINDSIELD, LIMITED VISIBILITY TO THE POINT THAT THE PAX DOOR AND THE PILOT'S WINDOW WERE OPENED BY THE CREW. THIS CAUSED THE FIRE TO BURN MORE INTENSELY. THE PLT EXISTED THE ACFT AFTER LANDING AND COMING TO A FULL STOP. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FBO. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE HOT WIRE FROM THE AMPERAGE METER WAS RUBBING ON THE FUEL PRESSURE INDICATOR LINE, HAD SHORTED AND BURNED THROUGH, CAUSING THE INFLIGHT FIRE IN THE COCKPIT. THE ACFT WAS OVERDUE ANNUAL AND HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 234 HRS OF FLIGHT TIME SINCE THE LAST INSPECTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CST
Nearest AirportFt. Madison (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 182RG
Tail NumberN4314R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-L3CD · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 28 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC