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NTSB Report
November 10, 1989 · Beech C33 · N4897J
Richmond, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Richmond, VA
Aircraft
Beech C33
Tail Number
N4897J
Operator
Julian C Petts Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO90LA009
JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 1,000 FEET, THE PLT BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT ATC TO RETURN TO LAND, THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT HE SAW FLAME COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THAT THE SMOKE WORSENED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE AT THE RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THE PLT EVACUATED THE ACFT ON THE RWY AND THE INTERIOR TO THE ACFT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE AND HEAT BY TIME THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED A CRACKED FUEL LINE WHICH RAN TO THE FUEL FLOW INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS LINE WAS CRACKED IN THE AREA OF THE CABIN LIGHT RHEOSTAT.
NTSB Probable Cause
CRACKED FUEL FLOW INDICATOR FUEL LINE WHICH ALLOWED FUEL TO COME IN CONTACT WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.
Full Narrative
JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 1,000 FEET, THE PLT BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT ATC TO RETURN TO LAND, THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT HE SAW FLAME COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THAT THE SMOKE WORSENED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE AT THE RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THE PLT EVACUATED THE ACFT ON THE RWY AND THE INTERIOR TO THE ACFT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE AND HEAT BY TIME THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED A CRACKED FUEL LINE WHICH RAN TO THE FUEL FLOW INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS LINE WAS CRACKED IN THE AREA OF THE CABIN LIGHT RHEOSTAT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 EST
Nearest AirportRichmond Int'L (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech C33
Tail NumberN4897J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJulian C Petts Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-K · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO