Accident Cessna 401 N2UE, Wednesday 30 September 1987

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Date:	Wednesday 30 September 1987
Time:	14:30 LT
Type:	Cessna 401
Owner/operator:	Jet Air, Inc.
Registration:	N2UE
MSN:	0022
Total airframe hrs:	4280 hours
Engine model:	Continental TSIO-520-E
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Ames, IA - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	(KAMW)
Destination airport:	Galesburg, IL (KGBG)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE UNSKED PAX FLT WAS CLIMBING TO CRUISE ALTITUDE HAVING JUST DEPTD AMES, IA, WHEN THE PIC NOTICED A FIRE IN THE LEFT ENG. THE PIC ABORTED THE CLIMB AND RETURNED TO AMES. THE LEFT ENG WAS SECURED BEFORE LNDG WHICH WAS UNEVENTFUL. A POST-FIRE INSP OF THE ENG COMPARTMENT REVEALED A SEPARATED PORTION OF THE EXHAUST NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT. SEPARATION OF THE COMPONENTS ALLOWED HOT EXHAUST GASES TO MELT A FUEL RETURN LINE WHICH CAUGHT FIRE. THE ACFT WAS INSPECTED 50 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE INFLT FIRE AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE AIRWORTHY.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: