N546M

On June 3, 2001, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150F, N546M, sustained substantial damage subsequent to an engine fire during starting procedures at the Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington. The airplane is registered to the pilot, who planned to operate the airplane as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. The certified commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard the airplane were not injured.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Board on June 5, the commercial pilot stated that when he attempted to start (first start of the day) the airplane's engine, "it started briefly and died." The pilot re-primed the engine and attempted another start without success. The pilot again primed the engine (for the third time) and engaged the starter. He reported that shortly after engaging the starter, smoke started coming from the engine compartment. He pulled the mixture and continued to crank the engine, however, the smoke continued. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane. Shortly after exiting the airplane, fire erupted in the cockpit and engine compartment. Minutes later, personnel from the fire department arrived and extinguished the fire.

Post accident inspection of the airplane by personnel from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the primer line to the intake manifold was cracked, but still attached to the manifold.

The ignition source for the fire could not be determined.

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