At about 1500 Mountain time, the airplane experienced an in-flight fire. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire. Visual conditions prevailed. About 30 minutes into the flight, at 9500 feet msl, the pilot smelled fuel. A few seconds later the smell became “overwhelming” and was accompanied by a sensation of deceleration. He immediately retarded the throttle and initiated a descent with the intention of making a forced landing. As he flared the airplane for landing, black smoke began to stream from the front of the airplane. After landing, the pilot and passenger immediately egressed the airplane. Smoke continued to billow from the engine compartment for an additional five minutes, followed by fire, which ultimately consumed the airplane.
February 4, 2010, Dolan Springs, Ariz., Piper PA-32R-301T
At about 1500 Mountain time, the airplane experienced an in-flight fire. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire. Visual conditions prevailed. About 30 minutes into the flight, at 9500 feet msl, the pilot smelled fuel. A few seconds later the smell became "overwhelming" and was accompanied by a sensation of deceleration.
Key Takeaways:
- An in-flight fire forced a commercial pilot to make an emergency landing after smelling fuel and experiencing deceleration.
- The pilot and passenger successfully egressed the aircraft immediately after landing and were uninjured.
- The airplane was completely destroyed by a post-crash fire that erupted from the engine compartment.
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