What happened
During the initial climbout from Runway 14 at Martin State Airport in Baltimore, Maryland, an unspecified aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power and an engine fire. The incident occurred at approximately 300 feet above ground level.
Upon experiencing the failure, the pilot declared an emergency and executed an approximate 280-degree turn to return to the airport. While the landing gear was extended for the arrival, the intense heat from the fire caused the nose gear to become disabled, preventing it from fully extending. The aircraft subsequently performed an emergency landing on Runway 32. There were no injuries reported following the event.
The investigation
Post-accident investigations focused on the engine's fuel system. Investigators identified a fuel leak located in the engine's vapor return line. However, because the fire caused such severe damage to the fuel line, investigators were unable to determine the specific failure mode that initiated the leak.