Incident Overview
After departing on a flight, the pilot detected smoke and observed flames near the left rudder pedal. Attempts to extinguish the fire with his shoes were unsuccessful, prompting a return to the airport. Due to smoke accumulation in the cockpit, the pilot used the side window to look out during the landing approach.
Landing and Collision
During the landing roll, the pilot was forced to remove his feet from the rudder pedals because of the fire. He attempted to apply the hand brake, but the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway, subsequently colliding with a ditch and a fence.
Post-Incident Examination
An examination revealed that the battery cable had separated and showed signs of intense heat at a point approximately 4 inches from the starter switch. The separation point was located beneath the pilot's seat, where the cable passed through a rubber grommet in a metal box housing electrical components.