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NTSB Report
September 7, 1982 · Cessna 421C · N6868D
St. Louis, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 7, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
St. Louis, MO
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N6868D
Operator
R Harris Russo
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
MKC82IA169
PILOT REPORTED, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED ICING CONDITIONS NEAR ST. LOUIS AND THE PROPELLER DE-ICE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. WHEN DE-ICE SYSTEM WAS TURNED ON, FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE PILOT'S INSTUMENT PANEL WHERE THE DE-ICE AMMETER IS LOCATED. THE PILOT TURNED OFF THE PROPELLER DE-ICE SWITCH AND THE FLAMES STOPPED. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER DE-ICE AMMETER REVEALED THAT IT WAS SHORTED TO THE INSTUMENT PANEL. THE AMMETER HAD BEEN MOVED TO THIS LOCATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
PILOT REPORTED, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED ICING CONDITIONS NEAR ST. LOUIS AND THE PROPELLER DE-ICE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. WHEN DE-ICE SYSTEM WAS TURNED ON, FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE PILOT'S INSTUMENT PANEL WHERE THE DE-ICE AMMETER IS LOCATED. THE PILOT TURNED OFF THE PROPELLER DE-ICE SWITCH AND THE FLAMES STOPPED. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER DE-ICE AMMETER REVEALED THAT IT WAS SHORTED TO THE INSTUMENT PANEL. THE AMMETER HAD BEEN MOVED TO THIS LOCATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN6868D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorR Harris Russo
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-N · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0