NTSB Factual Report

On June 3, 2003, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 210E, N2328F, operated and registered to an individual, caught fire while standing after engine start at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, Tallahassee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time.

According to the pilot, the airplane was on the ramp with the engine running, he was reading back an instrument clearance, when he observed fire coming from the engine compartment through the rudder pedal area of the airplane. He instructed his two passengers to exit the aircraft immediately, placed the engine fuel mixture to the off position and, exited the airplane. Moments later, the fire department arrived and extinguished the fire.

A witness who is a mechanic stated that, he was about 30 feet aft and to the right of the aircraft at the time of the fire. He noticed a fuel leak which was substantial and appeared to be coming from the engine compartment at the lower edge and slightly to the left of the centerline of the firewall. He also stated it appeared the electrical system and the fuel pumps were on due to the fact the amount of fuel spilling out onto the ground, at the time of the fire. Fire personnel had a difficult time extinguishing the fire. Every time the fire was extinguished with foam, moments later the fire would re-ignite. Severe smoke in the cockpit prevented the fire personnel from turning off the master switch or turning the fuel selector valve to the off position. Water had to be sprayed into the cockpit resulting in lost of electrical power. The fuel stopped, and at this point the fuel selector was placed to the off position, containing the source of the fire. In addition the witness, also stated that, when he was disconnecting the battery. He noted a battery cable was in contact with and arching with a steel braided fuel hose on the left side of the firewall. He explained this fuel hose was the main supply of fuel, which runs down toward to the nose wheel well where the fuel strainer is located. He also mentioned he was not able to examine the engine compartment in details, but the chafing of the wire with the fuel hose could have been the source of the fire.

The airplane's logbooks were released to Mr.Jason Steele claims adjuster for Phoenix Aviation Managers, Inc., on behalf of the owner's insurance company, on July 18, 2003.

NTSB Probable Cause

The arching of the battery electric wire which was chaffing against the main steel braided fuel hose resulting in fire in the engine compartment.