Navion A N40FL

Summary

On 10 April 1997 at about 18:26 local time, a Navion A registered N40FL was involved in an accident near Quincy, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 April 1997 at 18:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Quincy, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Quincy Municipal (2J9)

Coordinates

30.5797, -84.5804

Aircraft

Navion A

Registration

N40FL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA97LA134

Nobody was injured.

chafing of an electrical cable that was routed through the firewall, which resulted in electrical arching and an in-flight fire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was on a test flight after completion of an annual inspection. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, he first smelled an electrical fire, then felt heat on his legs. He remained in the pattern and landed. After exiting the airplane, a fire erupted in the cockpit area. Bystanders used water to help extinguish the fire. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed electrical arching on the firewall from a cable that went through the firewall. The electrical cable was routed from the battery relay (aft of the aft seat) to the starter relay, which was on the upper right section of the firewall. The mechanic, who performed the inspection, used the manufacturers checklist. Reportedly, no work had been performed on the instrument panel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.