Summary
On March 29, 1993, a Cessna 172K (N758XY) was involved in an accident near Fresno, CA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries, with 2 people uninjured out of 4 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The improper installation of an electrical wire bundle, and, the chaffing and subsequent arcing of the wires against a fuel line which resulted in a fire.
On March 28, 1993, about 2115 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172K, N758XY, had in inflight fire during cruise flight near Fresno, California. The fire was extinguished and the pilot was able to land the airplane safely. The airplane sustained substantial damage from the fire. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries and the two remaining passengers were not injured. The personal flight was being operated by Mazzei Flying Service of Fresno at the time. The flight originated in Coalinga, California, about 2045 hours and was destined for Fresno. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.
FAA safety inspectors examined the airplane and interviewed witnesses after the accident.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX93LA159. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N758XY.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the improper installation of an electrical wire bundle, and, the chaffing and subsequent arcing of the wires against a fuel line which resulted in a fire.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 28, 1993, about 2115 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172K, N758XY, had in inflight fire during cruise flight near Fresno, California. The fire was extinguished and the pilot was able to land the airplane safely. The airplane sustained substantial damage from the fire. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries and the two remaining passengers were not injured. The personal flight was being operated by Mazzei Flying Service of Fresno at the time. The flight originated in Coalinga, California, about 2045 hours and was destined for Fresno. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.
FAA safety inspectors examined the airplane and interviewed witnesses after the accident. They reported that an unsupported electrical wire bundle was routed over the fuel line under the cabin floor. The wire bundle abraded on the fuel line and arced. The electrical arc burned a hole in the fuel line which allowed fuel to leak. The leaking fuel ignited. The pilot reported that he used the airplane's hand held fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The pilot said he diverted from Fresno Air Terminal to Fresno Chandler Downtown Airport. The pilot landed safely at Fresno Chandler Downtown Airport about 2020 hours.
According to the operator, the electrical wire was installed prior to them obtaining the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX93LA159