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CEN10CA111

2010-02-01 · Reserve, New Mexico, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport T16

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

An in-flight fire due to a fuel leak from the No. 5 cylinder's broken fuel injector/line.

Factual narrative

During takeoff, the pilot heard a "pop" noise followed by smoke in the cockpit. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff roll and return to the airport; during the downwind leg, the smoke became severe. The pilot was able to land the airplane safely. Examination of the airplane revealed the engine, cowling, and firewall sustained fire damage. Additionally, the inspection revealed that a fuel injector/line on the number 5 cylinder was broken, and sprayed fuel onto the engine's turbocharger. During takeoff the pilot heard a "pop" noise followed by smoke in the cockpit. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff roll and return to the airport; during the downwind leg, the smoke became severe. The pilot was able to land the airplane safely. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine, cowling, and firewall sustained fire damage. Additionally the inspection revealed that a fuel injector/line on the No. 5 cylinder was broken and had sprayed fuel onto the engine's turbocharger. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine fuel and control-Fuel distribution-Failure - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_CEN10CA111.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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