Engine Fire After Shutdown on Ramp Damages Cowling and Components (N6092Y)

Incident Summary

A pilot reported that after shutting down the engine on the ramp, he noticed signs of an engine fire in the right engine cowling. A fire truck was summoned and the fire was extinguished. A witness reported seeing fire coming from the right engine as the aircraft back-taxied to the terminal. The witness saw two people jump out of the airplane after it stopped, and other individuals used portable fire extinguishers until firefighters arrived and put out the fire.

Damage Assessment

An inspection of the airplane revealed that the intense heat from the engine fire burned the right landing gear doors, the bottom engine cowling, and the top engine cowling to about 10 inches behind the firewall. It appeared that the fire started above the turbocharger unit. The fire occurred in the area between the engine and the engine firewall. Extensive heat damage was done to the firewall and the engine accessories. The hydraulic and fuel hoses above the turbocharger were destroyed.