What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was attempting to start the engine of the aircraft. After applying primer to the system, the pilot initiated the start sequence. Shortly thereafter, a backfire was heard from the engine compartment, followed immediately by flames emitting from the engine area.
Rather than aborting the attempt, the pilot continued with the engine start procedure. However, the fire intensified rapidly, becoming too excessive to manage safely on board. Consequently, both the pilot and the passenger were forced to evacuate the airplane immediately to ensure their safety.
The investigation
Following the incident, a post-accident examination of the wreckage was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator. The inspection focused on identifying any potential mechanical failures that might have contributed to the fire. The examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions within the engine or related systems.