What happened
On February 7, 2008, a Bellanca 8KCAB was performing an aerobatic demonstration near a school in Oud Beijerland. The pilot, flying solo, departed from Seppe Airport (EHSE) for a planned 10-minute display. During the maneuvers, smoke began flowing from the engine compartment into the cockpit with enough density to obstruct the pilot's vision, forcing the window to be opened. Simultaneously, the pilot noticed fire and heat near their feet.
In response to the developing fire, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby field. Upon contact with the soft, marshy ground, the Bellanca 8KCAB flipped over. While the pilot was able to exit the cabin without injury, the aircraft was destroyed by the fire, which consumed the engine compartment, fuselage, and wings.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the origin of the fire and the mechanical state of the aircraft's fuel system. The aircraft was equipped with two fuel pumps: a mechanical pump driven by the engine for standard flight phases, and an electrical pump used during takeoff, landing, aerobatics, or engine issues. At the time of the incident, the electrical pump was active.
Examination of the wreckage revealed melting patterns in the aluminum of the electrical fuel pump. Investigators also analyzed the remaining fuel in the tanks to check for contamination, specifically looking for the use of automotive gasoline (MOGAS) instead of aviation gasoline (AVGAS).