NTSB Factual Report

On December 4, 2017, about 0720 Pacific standard time, a Beech A36, N251E, made an emergency landing to an open field near Rio Oso, California, after the pilot noted an onboard fire. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage to its undercarriage. The flight departed Mc Clellan Air Field (MCC), Sacramento, California, at an undetermined time. The flight was scheduled to terminate at Yuba County Airport (MYV), Marysville, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, he was at 1,500 ft and starting his descent to MYV, when he saw a flickering light underneath the instrument panel below him. He realized that it was a fire, decreased engine power, and made a forced landing to a field. The pilot reported that he intentionally left the landing gear in the retracted position. The airplane touched down in a plowed field, and came to rest about 250 ft from its initial touch down point, and had rotated 150o to the left. The pilot stated that after he exited the airplane, it burst into flames.