Primary finding
Probable cause
engine compartment fire from accumulated fuel in the carburetor, and failure of the pilot to follow the emergency checklist procedure.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he had landed about 30 minutes prior to the accident. When he attempted to start the engine before the next planned flight, it 'turned over but wouldn't start.' He pumped the throttle three times. He said he engaged the starter, the engine 'popped through the carb,' and fire ignited in the engine compartment. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane uneventfully. The emergency procedure published in the pilot's operating handbook (for engine fire during start on ground), specified 'cranking-continue, to get start which would suck the flames and accumulated fuel through the carburetor and into the engine.'
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 12, 1996, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N50104, was destroyed by fire at a private airstrip near Parker, South Dakota. The pilot reported that the fire initiated prior to takeoff during an attempted engine start. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the planned local flight. The pilot reported that he had landed about 30 minutes prior to the accident. When he attempted to start the engine prior to the planned flight, it "turned over but wouldn't start." He pumped the throttle three times. He engaged the starter, the engine "popped through the carb," and the fire ignited in the engine compartment. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane uneventfully. Emergency procedures published in the pilot's operating handbook, engine fire during start on ground checklist, specify "cranking-continue, to get start which would suck the flames and accumulated fuel through the carburetor and into the engine." -