Incident
A fire started in the left wheel well and nacelle area shortly after the pilot turned on the electric fuel pumps during the turn to final approach. The aircraft was landed, and the pilot evacuated safely.
Witness Observations
According to witnesses, the airplane appeared to be on a level plane when the pilot evacuated. However, later, as the fire progressed, the left side of the airplane dropped when the fire burned through the left main gear area and the left main spar. Subsequently, the left main gear appeared to be collapsed from the fire.
Post-Accident Examination
A fractured fuel line was found near the left engine-driven fuel pump. A metallurgist stated that the fracture had not originated during the tightening process and that the geometry of the separated surfaces was typical of bending loads.