What happened
On May 8, 2012, a student pilot was preparing for a solo flight at Jerez Airport (LEJR) in Spain. After completing a fuel priming sequence, the pilot started the PIPER PA-28-161 “Warrior”, registration EC-IOT, and taxied to a designated area on the apron to perform an engine test.
While following the checklist to check the engine idle, the engine produced a loud noise, stopped, and began emitting smoke. Flames soon emerged from the engine cover. The pilot followed the established engine fire checklist and contacted the flight school's operations department. An instructor in a nearby aircraft responded with a fire extinguisher, successfully suppressing the flames. A second fire was also addressed by a maintenance mechanic using another extinguisher. The aircraft sustained minor damage to the engine and fairing, but no injuries were reported.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the school's operational procedures. A post-incident inspection of the PIPER PA-28-161 “Warrior” revealed that the hot air intake to the carburetor had been damaged by high temperatures. While no fuel leaks or component failures were found, evidence suggested that fuel had accumulated on the lower engine fairing.
The investigation also reviewed the flight school's engine start checklists. It was discovered that the school's procedures required priming the engine three times, a practice that differed from the manufacturer's recommendations. This specific requirement had been carried over from when the aircraft was previously operated in Scotland, where colder temperatures necessitated more aggressive priming.
Findings
- The fire was likely caused by excessive fuel accumulation in the exhaust area.
- The pilot had primed the engine three times prior to start, which likely flooded the engine.
- The use of the fuel pump during the engine test may have contributed to the presence of excess fuel.
- The flight school's checklists had not been updated to reflect the warmer climate of Spain, maintaining a priming requirement used for much colder environments in the UK.