On January 10, 1983, a Cessna 402B (registration N8200Q) operated by Trans-mo Airlines, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near St. Louis, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A fuel line ruptured and metal particles blocked the shut-off valve, causing continued fuel flow and the fire. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During aircraft startup, the right engine caught fire after the left engine was started. The pilot shut down both engines and evacuated passengers. Fire department extinguished the fire. Investigation revealed a ruptured fuel line and metal particles blocking the shut-off valve.
Incident Overview
During the startup sequence of the aircraft, the right engine began to burn. After the left engine was started, the pilot observed flames emanating from the top of the right engine. In response, the pilot initiated a shutdown of both engines and evacuated all passengers. The fire continued to burn until it was extinguished by the responding fire department.
Examination Findings
Post-incident examination of the right engine revealed a ruptured fuel line. Additionally, metal particles were found blocking the shut-off valve, which prevented the valve from closing properly. As a result, fuel continued to flow even after the engine shutdown was initiated, sustaining the fire until external suppression was applied.
Probable cause
A fuel line ruptured and metal particles blocked the shut-off valve, causing continued fuel flow and the fire.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…