Accident Details
On August 14, 2013, at approximately 1120 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D1, registration N44351, was destroyed by a post-landing fire at Torchport Airport (59M) near Easport, Michigan. The airplane was 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 originated from Traverse City, Michigan, around 1050.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported noticing a smell of gasoline while in cruise flight, approximately 5 to 8 miles from the destination airport. The odor intensified as the airplane entered the traffic pattern on downwind. During the landing flare, the engine quit, and the pilot detected a strong burnt metal smell. After landing, the pilot exited the airplane quickly. About 45 seconds later, flames emerged from the left side of the engine cowl. The fire spread rapidly, consuming most of the airplane within 15 minutes.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. The highest fire intensity was located on the left rear side of the engine, but the source of the fire was not determined.
Maintenance Information
The pilot reported that the maintenance logbooks and records, kept in the airplane, were consumed by the fire. The last annual inspection had been completed in October 2012. Following that inspection, the pilot flew the airplane for about 2.5 hours as part of the post-maintenance check. The airplane was not flown during the winter months. On the flight immediately preceding the accident flight, the pilot flew for 1 hour and 15 minutes, during which no anomalies were noted. No maintenance was performed on the fuel lines, carburetor, or gascolator after that flight.