Event MIA95LA190

Factual narrative

On July 25, 1995, about 1045 eastern daylight time, N334BL, a Maule MX7-235, registered to a private individual, burned on engine start in Polk City, Florida, while attempting a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by fire and the pilot, instructor pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time. The pilot stated that he had landed on the canal, taxied up the ramp on amphibious floats, and shut down about 30 minutes earlier. He picked up an instructor pilot for a proficiency flight and the engine caught fire during the engine start. An examination of the airplane by local FAA personnel was conducted and no cause for the fire could be found. THE AIRPLANE HAD LANDED ABOUT 30 MIN EARLIER ON A CANAL, TAXIED UP A RAMP ONTO LAND, AND SHUT DOWN. THE PILOT, INSTRUCTOR AND A PASSENGER SUBSEQUENTLY BOARDED THE AIRPLANE. DURING THE ENGINE START, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. FAA PERSONNEL EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE; THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12