What happened
On April 20, 1985, at approximately 2100 hours local time, a Beechcraft Model E185 operated by Blackhawk Airways Inc. was preparing for departure from Janesville Municipal Airport (JVL) in Wisconsin. The aircraft, identified as N68Y, was conducting a standard engine runup procedure in anticipation of a flight to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
Upon completion of the runup but before taxiing onto the runway for takeoff, fire was detected near the left engine. The pilot immediately notified the Janesville control tower and requested emergency assistance. Attempting to manage the situation independently, the pilot tried to extinguish the flames by blowing on them. When this effort proved unsuccessful, he secured both engines and evacuated the aircraft along with his passenger.
Airport firefighting units, supported by personnel from the Beloit, Wisconsin Fire Department, arrived on scene and successfully extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported among the pilot or the passenger.