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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 4, 2004 · Beech BE-95-A55 · N9779Y

Louisville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Louisville, KY
Aircraft
Beech BE-95-A55
Tail Number
N9779Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04LA204

Upon landing at the destination airport, the pilot was informed that he would have to pay a ramp and parking fee, or buy a minimum of 15 gallons of fuel. Even though the airplane would not require any additional fuel for the subsequent flight, the pilot opted to buy fuel to avoid paying the fees. While the refueler was servicing the left auxiliary fuel tank, he allowed between 1 and 5 gallons to overflow. About 15 minutes later, the pilot attempted to start the left engine, and simultaneously, an explosion occurred in the left wing. The engine did not start, but the pilot thought that it backfired at the time of the explosion. Examination of the left wing revealed damage consistent with an internal explosion, and that the fuel cells were intact, full of fuel, and not leaking.

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper refueling of the left auxiliary fuel tank, which resulted in an overflow of fuel, and a subsequent explosion in the left wing during engine start.

Full Narrative

On September 4, 2004, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Beech 95-A55, N9779Y, was substantially damaged when an explosion occurred in the left wing during left engine start at the Louisville International Airport-Standiford Field (SDF), Louisville, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot, and all three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, destined for Nashville, Tennessee. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he landed at Louisville in order to pickup one additional passenger, before flying on to Nashville. Once on the ground, he was informed that he would have to pay a ramp and parking fee, or buy a minimum of 15 gallons of fuel. Even though the airplane would not require any additional fuel for the subsequent flight, the pilot opted to buy some fuel to avoid paying the fees. While the refueler was servicing the left auxiliary fuel tank, he allowed approximately 4 to 5 gallons to overflow. The refueler advised the pilot of his mistake, and said he would add a couple of extra gallons to the right wing to makeup for what had been spilled. The refueler completed servicing the airplane, and then repositioned the truck. The pilot examined the left wing for any evidence of residual fuel, and approximately 15 minutes after the spill had occurred, loaded his passengers in preparation for departure. The pilot started the left engine, and simultaneously an explosion occurred in the left wing. The engine did not start, but the pilot thought that it may have backfired at the time of the explosion. According to the refueler, he was instructed to add 7 1/2 gallons to each wing. He serviced the left wing first, and inadvertently spilled 1 to 2 gallons in the process. The spilled fuel ran down the wing, off the trailing edge, and "it appeared to be evaporating quickly" from the ground. He then serviced the right wing, and then parked the fuel truck approximately 150 feet from the airplane. Sometime thereafter, he heard an explosion, and saw flames on the lower side of the left wing. He retrieved the handheld fire extinguisher from the fuel truck, and proceeded to the airplane where he extinguished the fire. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that examined the airplane, the left wing displayed damage consistent with an internal explosion, and the fuel cells were intact, full of fuel, and not leaking. The inspector added that he observed "very little fire damage" on or in the left wing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest AirportStandiford Field (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBeech BE-95-A55
Tail NumberN9779Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470 · Reciprocating · 260 | Continental · IO-470 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 3 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data