What happened
On 3 June 1999, a Cessna F150G, registration G-AVIA, was prepared for a private flight at Liverpool Airport. The aircraft had been stationary on the ramp for approximately 15 minutes following a prior flight, and an external inspection had been completed. The flight was intended to be the first solo experience for a student pilot, who had received a comprehensive briefing including emergency procedures.
During the engine start sequence, the pilot primed the engine once, but the initial attempt was unsuccessful. Following a second priming, the start process was briefly interrupted by another aircraft taxiing in front of the Cessna F150G. As the pilot attempted to restart the engine once the path was clear, the pilot of the passing aircraft alerted the crew to an active fire. The commander immediately ordered the student to evacuate the aircraft.
The investigation
Following the evacuation, the commander performed the prescribed fire drill and exited the aircraft with a fire extinguisher. Upon inspection, the commander identified a small fire located near the carburettor air intake. He used the extinguisher to suppress the flames, which appeared to be successful. The commander then re-entered the cockpit to contact Air Traffic Control and request assistance. The Liverpool Airport Fire Service arrived promptly to monitor the engine and ensure the fire was fully extinguished and no further danger remained.
Findings
- The incident involved a minor fire localized near the carburettor air intake.
- The engine was still warm from a previous flight when the start attempt was made.
- The fire originated near the carburettor air intake during the engine start sequence.
- There were no injuries to the crew or passengers, and the aircraft sustained only minor sooting to the engine cowling.