On June 1, 1991, a Beech B95-B55 (registration N14SC) operated by Jon A. Stevens was involved in an aviation accident near Glendale, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot reported he did not ensure that the airplane's right wing fuel cap had been locked following refueling. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot did not ensure the right wing fuel cap was locked after refueling. During takeoff roll, fuel spillage was observed, leading to an aborted takeoff. Restarting the right engine caused an explosion and fire. Occupants evacuated, and the pilot redirected the rolling airplane into a pole.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that he did not verify that the airplane's right wing fuel cap had been locked following refueling. This oversight led to a sequence of events resulting in an explosion and fire on the right wing.
Sequence of Events
During the takeoff roll, the pilot-rated passenger observed fuel spilling on the right wing. In response, the pilot aborted the takeoff and shut down the right engine. The passenger then secured the fuel cap. When the right engine was restarted, an explosion and fire occurred on the right wing. The occupants exited the airplane while its engine was still running.
Aftermath
After the occupants evacuated, the airplane began rolling toward bystanders and parked airplanes. To prevent a collision, the pilot grabbed onto the airplane's tail and redirected it into a pole, bringing it to a stop.
Probable cause
The pilot reported he did not ensure that the airplane's right wing fuel cap had been locked following refueling.