Incident Overview
A pilot and five passengers safely evacuated an airplane after an in-flight fire in the left engine was first noticed upon landing at an unspecified location in Sparta, Tennessee. Following the evacuation, the occupants used a hand-held fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
Damage Details
The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left engine, including a buckled firewall, melted fuel lines, and separated throttle and propeller cables. The extent of damage indicates a significant thermal event.
Investigation Findings
Further examination of the engine revealed that the fuel pump had a leak. This leak was possibly precipitated by faulty gasket material, which allowed fuel to ignite when it came into contact with the heated engine. In response to this finding, the pump manufacturer has released a Service Bulletin urging a close inspection of the attaching screws.