BAKERSFIELD, CA, USA
N333KM
GLASSAIR SH-2R
THE PILOT CHANGED THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE OIL THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FLIGHT. AFTER TAKEOFF, AN INFLIGHT FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE POST FLIGHT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S OIL TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT LINE TO THE GAUGE WAS FOUND DAMAGED AT A CRIMPED FITTING. THE PILOT BELIEVES THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY HIM DURING THE ENGINE OIL CHANGE.
On August 17, 1993, at 1604 hours Pacific daylight time, a Glassair SH-2R, N333KM, landed gear up on Runway 12L at Meadows Field, Bakersfield, California, after experiencing an inflight fire. The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules personal flight to Fresno, California. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Meadows Field at 1600 hours. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. The inspector reported that the source of the fire appeared to be from a 1/4 inch rubber hose attached to the intake side of the number 1 cylinder. The line was traced through the airplane's firewall to another manifold behind the instrument panel. The line is believed to belong to the oil gauge. The pilot reported during a telephone interview that he had changed the airplane's engine oil the night before. The pilot stated he believes that he inadvertently damaged a crimped line while changing the oil. Post flight inspection of the airplane by the pilot revealed the engine oil temperature line had disconnected at the crimped fitting near the airplane's exhaust system. The pilot reported that he landed the airplane gear up due to a loss of electrical power.
THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY THE PILOT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN AN OIL LINE LEAK NEAR THE AIRPLANE'S EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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