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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

January 20, 2001 · Cessna 172 F · N7882U

Greenwood, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Greenwood, MS
Aircraft
Cessna 172 F
Tail Number
N7882U
Operator
Jimmy Leon Thompson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL01LA026

According to the pilot, he noticed smoke in the cabin, and turned around and saw flames behind him. He turned off the master switch and turned the airplane back towards the airport. The pilot landed on the grass next to the runway, and exited the airplane. Suddenly, the pilot executed a left turn and returned to the airport. The controller observed smoke coming from the airplane as the pilot maneuvered the airplane for an emergency landing on the airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

An in-flight fire for undetermined reasons. Finding: A factor is the maintenance modification was performed by company personnel prior to the flight.

Full Narrative

On January 20, 2001, at 1700 central standard time, a Cessna 172F, N7882U, experienced an in-flight fire of unknown origins during takeoff from runway 36, Greenwood- Leflore County Airport, Mississippi. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. The airplane departed Greenwood-Leflore County Airport, in Greenwood, Mississippi, at 1700. According to the pilot, after departing Greenwood-Leflore County Airport on runway 36, he noticed smoke in the cabin. He reported, he turned around and saw flames behind him. He turned off the master switch, and turned back towards the airport. He tried to put out the flames but was unsuccessful. During the return to the airport, the airplane collided with power lines. Then the aircraft clipped a 6' high airport security fence. The pilot landed on the grass next to the runway, and exited the airplane. According to the air traffic controller, the airplane climbed to approximately 35 feet after take off from runway 36, and suddenly the pilot executed a left turn and returned to the airport. The controller observed smoke coming from the airplane as the pilot maneuvered the airplane for an emergency landing on the airport. The pilot made an emergency landing in the grass adjacent to runway 36. Examination of the maintenance records revealed that, no evidence of fire occurred prior to the modification. The airplane maintenance records revealed that a radio instrument rack, and other electrical equipment had been installed in the passenger compartment prior to the flight. The airplane's passenger compartment from the firewall to aft of the baggage compartment was totally consumed by the fire after landing. This flight was the first flight after the modification and the fire started in the area where the new equipment was installed. The fire ignition source has not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CST
Nearest AirportGreenwood Lefore (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length6503 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 F
Tail NumberN7882U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJimmy Leon Thompson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 13 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 23 C
Altimeter30.37 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data