Event NYC97LA190

Factual narrative

On August 15, 1997, about 0633 eastern daylight time, a Beech 58TC, N2152L, was substantially damaged during engine start, at Republic Field, East Farmingdale, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight which was planned to be conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In The NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...I attempted to start my aircraft...The left side engine and lower wing(beneath) caught fire. I pulled back fuel mixtures and turned off fuel main and exited aircraft. At that point the fire increase in intensity/ I looked for a fire extinguisher but was unable to find one at that location. I yelled to someone to call fire department and they responded immediately. Fire was extinguished within 10 minutes and aircraft was secured." According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, the purpose of the flight was to fly the airplane to Islip, New York, for maintenance. During engine start, the pilot experienced difficulty in starting the left engine. He continued to prime the engine with the starter engaged. While cranking, the pilot heard a backfire, and then observed flames beneath the wing. He then exited the airplane and tried to find a fire extinguisher. Unable to find an extinguisher, he summoned help, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The FAA inspector reported that he examined the airplane and observed that the fuel overflow vent for the fuel injection system was located directly above the exhaust stack, where it exited the bottom of the engine cowling. In addition, the carry-through spar had been crystallized due to the heat, and needed to be replaced. According to the FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual for the 58TC, priming should be accomplished with the fuel boost pump on, and advancing the mixture for 2 to 3 seconds and returning the mixture to idle cut-off. In addition, the first four items on the Emergency Procedure for ENGINE FIRE - ON THE GROUND called for the mixtures to be brought to idle cut off, continue to crank the affected engine, fuel selectors off, and throttle full open. The pilot was experiencing difficulty in starting the left engine. He engaged the starter and continued priming. He then heard a backfire and observed flames under the wing. He released the starter, closed the mixtures, turned off the fuel, and exited the airplane. The fire was extinguished by airport fire fighting personnel. According to the FAA Approved Flight Manual for the Beech 58TC, priming should be accomplished in 2 to 3 second bursts, after which, the mixture control should be returned to idle cut-off. Also, according to the flight manual, the first four items on the Emergency Procedure for ENGINE FIRE - ON THE GROUND called for the mixtures to be brought to idle cut off, continue to crank the affected engine, fuel selectors off, and throttle full open. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12