What happened
During a flight transitioning from Yuma to Phoenix, an aircraft operating at cruising altitude experienced a critical mechanical failure. The left engine ignited after the exhaust pipe became detached while the plane was airborne. In response to the fire, the pilot initiated a descent to a lower altitude and sought an emergency landing site within a desert region situated close to Hyder, AZ.
The flight ended in a crash landing, which caused the aircraft to catch fire upon impact. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the incident. Despite the severity of the crash, both occupants managed to exit the wreckage and sustained only minor injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified a failure within the powerplant system as the primary driver of the event. Specifically, the exhaust system suffered from a fatigue fracture that led to excessive vibration and the subsequent separation of the pipe. This mechanical breakdown directly caused the engine fire.
Further inspection revealed that a bolt responsible for connecting the ball joint on the right side of the left engine was missing. The official investigation concluded that the engine fire was the result of improper maintenance practices.