BFO85LA038

Factual narrative

WHILE EXITING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AFTER TKOF THE PLT SMELLED SMOKE AND OBSERVED FLAMES NEAR THE LEFT RUDDER PEDAL. AFTER FAILING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH HIS SHOES THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AND SUBSEQUENTLY LNDD USING SIDE WINDOW TO LOOK OUT OF DUE TO SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. DURING LNDG THE PLT WAS FORCED TO REMOVE HIS FEET FM THE RUDDER PEDALS DUE TO FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE HAND BRAKE BUT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A DITCH AND FENCE. EXAM REVEALED THE BAT CABLE FD SEPARATED AND SHOWED SIGNS OF INTENSE HEAT AT A PT ABT 4 INCHES FM THE STARTER SWITCH. THE SEP PT WAS LOCATED BENEATH THE PLTS SEAT WHERE THE CABLE PASSED THRU A RUBBER GROMMET IN A METAL BOX HOUSING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12