Summary
On June 17, 1996, a Harmon RV-3 ROCKET (N41HR) was involved in an incident near Houston, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The improper installation of the fuel line with insufficient clearance from the exhaust system, resulting in a hole being burned into the fuel line.
On June 17, 1996, at 0927 central daylight time, a Harmon RV-3 Rocket, N41HR, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was destroyed by fire during landing near Houston, Texas. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Madison, Mississippi, at 0800.
The pilot reported that he landed on runway 12L at the William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas. During the roll out, when the tail touched down, he noticed flames between his feet. He exited the runway to the left and deplaned.
Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that a high pressure fuel line on the right side of the engine, had a hole burned into it.
This incident is documented in NTSB report FTW96LA252. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N41HR.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The improper installation of the fuel line with insufficient clearance from the exhaust system, resulting in a hole being burned into the fuel line.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 17, 1996, at 0927 central daylight time, a Harmon RV-3 Rocket, N41HR, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was destroyed by fire during landing near Houston, Texas. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Madison, Mississippi, at 0800.
The pilot reported that he landed on runway 12L at the William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas. During the roll out, when the tail touched down, he noticed flames between his feet. He exited the runway to the left and deplaned.
Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that a high pressure fuel line on the right side of the engine, had a hole burned into it. The fuel line had been improperly installed to within one inch of the exhaust pipe. Further examination revealed that the right main landing gear had been damaged by a "previous landing," and an aft engine mount had a break that "appeared to be old."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW96LA252