Accident
On August 25, 2009, at about 1625 mountain standard time, a Cessna 177B, registration N30715, was destroyed by fire while standing at Chandler Municipal Airport in Chandler, Arizona. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The intended flight was a personal cross-country to Tucson International Airport (TUC), Tucson, Arizona.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's report, after dropping off a friend, he waited approximately half an hour before attempting to start the airplane's engine. During the first start attempt, the engine failed to start, and the pilot did not prime it. On the second attempt, he gave the engine one stroke of prime; on the third attempt, two strokes; and on the fourth attempt, three strokes. Each attempt was unsuccessful.
The pilot then contacted his flight instructor, who advised using the "flooded" engine start procedure. The pilot followed this procedure but was still unable to start the engine. After securing the engine, the pilot stated that he began reviewing the checklist to ensure nothing was missed. While doing so, he heard a "pop" sound and looked up to see dark smoke coming from the engine, followed shortly by fire. He exited the aircraft.
First responders arrived and extinguished the initial fire. However, a second fire broke out, during which the airplane's engine started and the propeller began spinning. The airplane was ultimately destroyed by fire damage.
Examination
Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed extensive fire damage to the engine and forward section of the airframe. The extent of the damage precluded determination of the fire's origin or cause.