CHI98LA256

Factual narrative

On July 16, 1998, at 1850 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 177, N3461T, operated by a private pilot was destroyed when on landing roll, the airplane's engine quit. During the subsequent restart attempt, an engine fire erupted which consumed the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Dubuque, Iowa, at 1830 cdt. In his written statement, the pilot said that the airplane's engine quit on landing roll out. After the airplane was completely stopped, the pilot attempted a restart. The pilot said, "A backfire from the engine caused fumes to ignite and start raw gas on [the] ground on fire." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site. The entire airplane, with exception of the outboard few feet of both wings, was charred, melted, or consumed by fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of surviving airplane components revealed no anomalies. The pilot said that the airplane's engine quit on landing roll out. After the airplane was completely stopped, the pilot attempted a restart. The pilot said, 'A backfire from the engine caused fumes to ignite and start raw gas on [the] ground on fire.' Examination of surviving airplane components revealed no anomalies. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12