Incident Details
On February 24, 2011, at 12:15 local time, a student pilot preparing for a solo local flight at Jerez de la Frontera Airport (Cádiz) experienced an engine fire. The aircraft, a Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II (registration EC-IKF), had just been started normally using the primer. When the pilot reduced power to begin taxi, the engine stopped. After a 10-second attempt to restart without using the primer, the engine failed to start. While waiting for the engine to cool, the pilot noticed smoke in the forward section, and an instructor in another aircraft radioed that there was a fire. The pilot retarded the throttle and exited the aircraft quickly without touching any other controls.
The fire, which produced thick white smoke, began in the lower engine area, particularly around the carburetor. Bystanders attempted to extinguish it with hand extinguishers but were unsuccessful. Airport firefighters eventually put out the fire. No injuries occurred.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a single-engine Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II powered by a Lycoming O-320-D3G engine. It was operated by Fly In Spain Vejer, S.L. The pilot, a 31-year-old student, held a Student Pilot License (SPL(A)) and had 21 total flight hours, all on the accident aircraft.
Investigation Findings
Post-incident examination revealed that the electric fuel pump and battery were still on, the throttle was at idle, the mixture was lean, and the right fuel tank was selected. The fuel system showed continuity with no leaks or loose connections beyond fire damage. Maintenance records indicated the aircraft had undergone its last 50-hour inspection on November 22, 2010.
The investigation noted that the Pilot's Operating Handbook specifies different starting procedures for cold, hot, and flooded engines. For a flooded engine, the throttle should be full open and the electric fuel pump off. During the second start attempt, the pilot did not use the primer but left the fuel pump on. The analysis suggested that the engine was likely already over-primed from the initial start, causing fuel to overflow from the carburetor during the second attempt and contact a hot surface, igniting the fire.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the fire likely originated in the carburetor area due to fuel overflow during the second start attempt. Contributing factors included the electric fuel pump being on during a flooded engine start procedure.