No fatalities

Engine Failure and Fire After Landing on Taxiway (N2491Y)

Palo Alto, CA, US

On October 21, 1985, a Piper PA28-181 (registration N2491Y) operated by Bruce V. Canton was involved in an aviation accident near Palo Alto, CA. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

After landing and turning onto a taxiway, an aircraft's engine quit. During a restart attempt, a fire erupted in the engine compartment. The pilot and passenger evacuated safely, and airport personnel extinguished the fire. An FAA inspection found no evidence of leaking fluid lines.

Incident Details

The pilot reported that after landing and turning onto the parallel taxiway, the engine stopped operating. While attempting to restart the engine, the pilot observed flames coming from the engine compartment. The pilot and a passenger evacuated the aircraft without further incident. Airport personnel responded and extinguished the fire.

Post-Incident Inspection

An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft. The inspection found no evidence of broken, disconnected, or leaking fluid lines forward of the firewall. The cause of the engine failure and subsequent fire was not determined.

Aircraft Status

The aircraft sustained damage from the fire. Further details about the aircraft type, registration, and operator were not specified in the report.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Oct 1985 Piper PA28-181 accident near Palo Alto, CA?

After landing and turning onto a taxiway, an aircraft's engine quit. During a restart attempt, a fire erupted in the engine compartment. The pilot and passenger evacuated safely, and airport personnel extinguished the fire. An FAA inspection found no evidence of leaking fluid lines.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Oct 1985 Piper PA28-181 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Oct 1985 involved a Piper PA28-181, registration N2491Y, operated by Bruce V. Canton, at Palo Alto, CA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X38065. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.