What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was positioned on the ramp. The pilot observed flames emerging through the floor in the area of the rudder pedals. At the time, the pilot was actively communicating with ground control to request clearance for movement.
Emergency response personnel arrived promptly at the scene. The fire department successfully extinguished the fire before it could spread further or cause additional structural damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
Following the incident, a mechanic conducted a detailed inspection of the affected area to determine the origin of the fire. The examination focused on the electrical and fuel systems located near the rudder pedal assembly.
The mechanic identified a specific point of failure involving the battery electrical wiring. The wire had been arcing, indicating an electrical fault. Further inspection revealed that the insulation on the wire was chafing against a nearby steel braided fuel hose. This physical contact created the conditions necessary for the arc to ignite flammable vapors or materials.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the fire originated from the electrical system. The primary contributing factor was the improper routing or securing of the battery electrical wire. This allowed the wire to chafe against the steel braided fuel hose over time.
The arcing from the damaged wire served as the ignition source. The proximity to the fuel hose suggests that fuel vapors may have been present, facilitating the combustion. The fire was contained to the area near the rudder pedals due to the quick response of the ground crew.