What happened
Prior to the incident, the flight was interrupted by a mechanical issue involving a magneto. Although the crew managed to rectify this defect, the subsequent delay prompted the pilot to decide to divert the flight to McAllen, TX, to facilitate more extensive maintenance.
During the takeoff roll, the crew observed sparks and flares emerging from the left side of the cabin area, specifically located behind a bulkhead. In response to the visible fire, the pilot performed an aborted takeoff. The crew attempted to suppress the flames, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Following the failure to extinguish the fire, the occupants evacuated the aircraft. The aircraft was subsequently destroyed by the fire.
Findings
An investigation into the event confirmed that a fire occurred within the fuselage. While the damage to the bulkhead and interior structure was significant, investigators were unable to identify the specific origin or source of the fire.