Accident Details
On March 7, 2012, at approximately 0843 central standard time, a Cessna 310K, registration N6974L, was substantially damaged following an engine fire on the ramp at Olive Branch Airport (OLV) in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The airplane was registered to a corporation and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the incident.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, the pre-flight inspection was uneventful. Both engines started normally, and all indications were "in the green." Shortly after, the pilot detected an odor of "burned paint" and looked outside the cockpit, observing smoke in the area of the left engine nacelle. He shut down both engines and noticed smoke coming from the area of the rudder pedals. As he was exiting the cockpit, a loud "pop" was heard, and the left engine became engulfed in flames. Local personnel responded with fire extinguishers and extinguished the fire.
Examination
An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the wreckage. The left engine was extensively damaged by fire, and a row of rivets was popped at the wing structure near the fire damage. The wreckage was secured for subsequent examination. A follow-up examination revealed that the most intense heat damage was located near and around the fuel strainer on the left engine firewall. The battery and starter solenoids were also situated in this area. The inspector chose not to pressurize the fuel lines due to the heat and fire damage.
Maintenance History
The FAA inspector reported that no maintenance had been performed on the airplane since a 100-hour inspection in November 2011. The last annual inspection was completed in July 2011.