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NTSB Report
September 30, 1987 · Cessna 401 · N2UE
Ames, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Ames, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 401
Tail Number
N2UE
Operator
Jet Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC87LA183
THE UNSKED PAX FLT WAS CLIMBING TO CRUISE ALTITUDE HAVING JUST DEPTD AMES, IA, WHEN THE PIC NOTICED A FIRE IN THE LEFT ENG. THE PIC ABORTED THE CLIMB AND RETURNED TO AMES. THE LEFT ENG WAS SECURED BEFORE LNDG WHICH WAS UNEVENTFUL. A POST-FIRE INSP OF THE ENG COMPARTMENT REVEALED A SEPARATED PORTION OF THE EXHAUST NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT. SEPARATION OF THE COMPONENTS ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO MELT A FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH CAUGHT FIRE. THE ACFT WAS INSPECTED 50 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE INFLT FIRE AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE AIRWORTHY.
Full Narrative
THE UNSKED PAX FLT WAS CLIMBING TO CRUISE ALTITUDE HAVING JUST DEPTD AMES, IA, WHEN THE PIC NOTICED A FIRE IN THE LEFT ENG. THE PIC ABORTED THE CLIMB AND RETURNED TO AMES. THE LEFT ENG WAS SECURED BEFORE LNDG WHICH WAS UNEVENTFUL. A POST-FIRE INSP OF THE ENG COMPARTMENT REVEALED A SEPARATED PORTION OF THE EXHAUST NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT. SEPARATION OF THE COMPONENTS ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO MELT A FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH CAUGHT FIRE. THE ACFT WAS INSPECTED 50 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE INFLT FIRE AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE AIRWORTHY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest Airport2nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 401
Tail NumberN2UE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJet Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:51
Weather SourceWFAC