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Fire from Instrument Panel Forces Emergency Landing (N731DB)

Town Creek, AL, US

On August 10, 1995, a Cessna 188T (registration N731DB) operated by Elliott Parker was involved in an aviation accident near Town Creek, AL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The chafing of the fuel flow gage pressure line with an electrical system wire which resulted in arcing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

While en route to spray a field, a pilot heard an unusual noise followed by smoke and fire from under the instrument panel. An emergency landing was made at the staging airstrip, and the pilot exited the burning airplane.

Incident Overview

A pilot on a spraying flight experienced an emergency when smoke and fire suddenly filled the cockpit. The pilot was en route to a field located 3 miles from the staging airstrip. The incident began when an unusual noise was heard in the cockpit. Seconds later, smoke and flames emerged from underneath the instrument panel.

Emergency Response

The pilot executed an emergency landing at the staging airstrip. After landing, the pilot exited the burning airplane. The aircraft sustained fire damage to the cockpit and center section of the airframe.

Examination Findings

A post-incident examination of the instrument panel revealed that a fuel line for the fuel flow meter had been burnt out of the instrument. Several fire-damaged electrical wires were found in the immediate vicinity of the fuel line. The proximity of these wires to the fuel line indicates a potential source of ignition, but no causal determination is made in this report.

In-flight fire & smoke

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 Aug 1995 Cessna 188T accident near Town Creek, AL?

While en route to spray a field, a pilot heard an unusual noise followed by smoke and fire from under the instrument panel. An emergency landing was made at the staging airstrip, and the pilot exited the burning airplane.

Were there any fatalities in the 10 Aug 1995 Cessna 188T accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 Aug 1995 involved a Cessna 188T, registration N731DB, operated by Elliott Parker, at Town Creek, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The chafing of the fuel flow gage pressure line with an electrical system wire which resulted in arcing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04149. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.