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NTSB Report
May 29, 1985 · Cessna TR 182 · N737YN
Mesa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna TR 182
Tail Number
N737YN
Operator
Superstition Air Serv
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA263
DURING INITIAL CLIMB ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT A FIRE ERUPTED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & THE ACFT WAS RETURNED FOR LANDING. DURING ROLL OUT 6 INCH LONG FLAMES, SMOKE & NOXIOUS FUMES FILLED THE COCKPIT. WHEN THE ACFT SLOWED TO 10 MPH THE PLTS EXITED THE ACFT & THEREAFTER IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE 15 AMP RATED WIRE 'DA1,' WHICH ROUTES CURRENT BETWEEN THE AMMETER, THE FLAP SWITCH & THE CIRCUIT BREAKER/BUS TERMINAL CONNECTOR HAD SHORTED & HAD FUSED ONTO THE CARBURETOR HEAD CONTROL LEVER. DURING MANUFACTURE OF THE ACFT THE WIRE IS NOT ROUTED AGAINST THE CARB. HEAT CONTROL LEVER. HOWEVER, DURING MAINTENANCE OF THE NEARBY GEAR SELECTOR LINES WIRE DA1 COULD BE IMPROPERLY REROUTED & THUS PRESSED AGAINST THE CARBURETOR CONTROL LEVER WHICH MAY RESULT IN EVENTUAL WEAR & ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Full Narrative
DURING INITIAL CLIMB ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT A FIRE ERUPTED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & THE ACFT WAS RETURNED FOR LANDING. DURING ROLL OUT 6 INCH LONG FLAMES, SMOKE & NOXIOUS FUMES FILLED THE COCKPIT. WHEN THE ACFT SLOWED TO 10 MPH THE PLTS EXITED THE ACFT & THEREAFTER IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE 15 AMP RATED WIRE 'DA1,' WHICH ROUTES CURRENT BETWEEN THE AMMETER, THE FLAP SWITCH & THE CIRCUIT BREAKER/BUS TERMINAL CONNECTOR HAD SHORTED & HAD FUSED ONTO THE CARBURETOR HEAD CONTROL LEVER. DURING MANUFACTURE OF THE ACFT THE WIRE IS NOT ROUTED AGAINST THE CARB. HEAT CONTROL LEVER. HOWEVER, DURING MAINTENANCE OF THE NEARBY GEAR SELECTOR LINES WIRE DA1 COULD BE IMPROPERLY REROUTED & THUS PRESSED AGAINST THE CARBURETOR CONTROL LEVER WHICH MAY RESULT IN EVENTUAL WEAR & ELECTRICAL SHORTING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:13 MST
Nearest AirportFalcon Fld (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna TR 182
Tail NumberN737YN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSuperstition Air Serv
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-L3CSD · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility45 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC