NTSB Factual Report

On May 31, 2010, approximately 2200 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N1821P, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it caught fire during engine start at Wellington Municipal Airport (EGT), Wellington, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was uninjured. The local flight originated at Cook Airfield, Inc., (K50), Derby, Kansas, approximately 2115.

The pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that they had flown over from Derby and had made two touch-and-go landings at Wellington. As he applied power to take off, the airplane "would not accelerate." He stopped the airplane on the runway and the engine quit. He used the primer and attempted to restart the engine. His passenger then noticed a fire under the instrument panel. Both occupants evacuated the airplane.

The pilot refused to complete NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot held a student pilot certificate that expired in 2004. He did not hold a valid FAA medical certificate. The pilot said he had approximately 170 hours total time, most of which were in the Piper PA-22-135.

Fire inspectors from the City of Wellington, Kansas, examined the airplane but were unable to determine either the origin or cause of the fire, but it was noted that the most intense portion of the fire was in the cabin area.

NTSB Probable Cause

A fire of undetermined cause that originated in the airplane's cabin.