Incident Overview
A certificated airline transport pilot and a passenger departed an intermediate fuel stop during a ferry flight to deliver the airplane to a new owner. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot detected a fuel odor and observed fuel dripping into the cockpit from beneath the instrument panel. The pilot decided to return to the departure airport.
Landing and Fire
During the landing roll-out, the engine quit. After the airplane rolled off the active portion of the runway, the pilot attempted to restart the engine. During this attempt, flames erupted in the engine and cockpit.
Investigation Findings
Investigation revealed that the flared end of a copper fuel pressure line, which connected the fuel metering unit to the fuel pressure gage, had fractured. The fracture resulted from improper installation and overtorque. This condition allowed fuel to drip onto the alternate-air control cable. The fuel then traveled along the cable, through the firewall, to the instrument panel, and then dripped into the cockpit.