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Casualties unknown

Engine Fire on Aircraft Extinguished After Pilot Shuts Down Engine (N41081)

Rock Hill, SC, US

On April 19, 2000, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration N41081) operated by Patton Aviatin Inc,. was involved in an aviation accident near Rock Hill, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The maintenance personnel's failure to re-torque the engine driven fuel pump in accordance with an Airworthiness Directive that resulted in a fuel leak and a subsequent engine fire. 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

A pilot of another airplane alerted the accident pilot of a right engine fire. The pilot shut down the engine, and airport officials extinguished the fire. Examination revealed loose components and non-compliance with an airworthiness directive.

Incident Overview

During a takeoff sequence, the pilot of another aircraft waiting for departure notified the pilot of the accident airplane that a fire was visible on the right engine. The accident pilot acknowledged the fire and proceeded to shut down the right engine. Airport personnel then used multiple hand-held fire extinguishers to successfully extinguish the engine fire.

Examination Findings

An internal inspection of the engine compartment revealed fire damage concentrated in the area surrounding the engine-driven fuel pump. Adjacent to this fuel pump assembly was a hydraulic supply line. Further examination disclosed that both the hydraulic supply line and the engine-driven fuel pump were found to be loose within the engine compartment.

Maintenance Records Review

A review of the airframe and engine maintenance log books indicated that Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-18-12 was applicable to the aircraft. This AD mandates that the engine-driven pump assembly be re-torqued to specified standards, with the stated purpose of preventing leaks that could potentially lead to engine failure or an engine fire. The log book review revealed that compliance with this airworthiness directive had not been documented.

Key Details

  • The incident involved an engine fire on the right engine.
  • The fire was extinguished using hand-held fire extinguishers by airport officials.
  • Fire damage was noted near the engine-driven fuel pump.
  • The hydraulic supply line and engine-driven fuel pump were both loose.
  • AD 98-18-12 requires re-torquing of the engine-driven pump assembly to prevent fuel leaks.
  • The maintenance logs showed no evidence of compliance with this AD.
Maintenance error

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Apr 2000 Piper PA-31-350 accident near Rock Hill, SC?

A pilot of another airplane alerted the accident pilot of a right engine fire. The pilot shut down the engine, and airport officials extinguished the fire. Examination revealed loose components and non-compliance with an airworthiness directive.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Apr 2000 involved a Piper PA-31-350, registration N41081, operated by Patton Aviatin Inc,., at Rock Hill, SC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The maintenance personnel's failure to re-torque the engine driven fuel pump in accordance with an Airworthiness Directive that resulted in a fuel leak and a subsequent engine fire.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030721X01159. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.