Incident
After departure and climbing to 4,500 feet, the pilot and a pilot-rated passenger noted a fuel odor. They decided to return to the airport for landing. Prior to landing, the pilot called the tower but did not advise tower personnel of the fuel odor or of a possible problem.
Post-Landing Fire
As the aircraft was turning off the runway, fire and smoke erupted in the engine compartment. The fire spread beyond the firewall to the cockpit. The pilot and both passengers deplaned. A tower controller saw the smoke and initiated a fire and rescue response, but did not use proper terminology. Fire department personnel were dispatched approximately one minute later. By the time they arrived, the aircraft was badly damaged.
Fire Damage and Fuel Leaks
Most of the engine's fire damage was on its left side. When tested, several fuel lines and components leaked, but they had sustained fire damage, and the exact in-flight fuel leak was not verified. Fuel stain and discoloration were noted at the air throttle metering unit, where it leaked at an O-ring. There was a fuel leak at the idle fuel adjustment screw, although it was "frozen" in a fixed position. Additionally, Beech had recommended replacing the fuel lines every five years, but no record was found of their replacement during the last five years.