NTSB Factual Report

On July 25, 2006, approximately 1400 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna R182 airplane, N7364T, was destroyed by fire following a precautionary landing at the McAlester Regional Airport, near McAlester, Oklahoma. The flight instructor and the private pilot receiving flight instruction, were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the Southeastern Oklahoma State University, of Durant, Oklahoma. No flight plan was filed for the training flight that departed the Tulsa International Airport (TUL), near Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 1310, and was destined for the Eaker Field Airport (DUA), near Durant, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the 431- hour flight instructor, approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, he noticed that both fuel quantity indicators were reading lower than expected and the fuel pressure gauge was indicating zero. Both pilots confirmed they smelt a fuel odor in the cockpit. The pilot responded by turning on the electric fuel pump switch to which no change was noted. The flight instructor elected to divert the flight to the McAlester Regional Airport, McAlester, Oklahoma, for a precautionary landing. Approximately 5 minutes after the diversion, the airplane's engine began to run rough; however, it was still producing sufficient power. Upon touchdown on runway 19, flames came through the firewall and the flight instructor lost directional control. The airplane veered off the edge of the 100-foot wide concrete runway and while still rolling, the two occupants departed the airplane. The airplane was engulfed in flames a few seconds later.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the airplane came to rest mid-field 50 feet east of the runway in an upright position. A majority of the cockpit and cabin, the tailcone, the engine and engine compartment, the center wing, and the inboard portions of the wings were consumed by fire. A braided fuel line, measuring 15.2 inches in length, which connected the auxiliary fuel pump to the engine driven fuel pump was found to have a ¾ to 1- inch size hole through its metal braiding. The fuel line, identified in the parts manual as part number S1236-6-0155, was found to have signatures consistent with short circuit arcing with an electrical cable.

The 1977-model airplane, serial number R182-00031, was reported to have accumulated a total of 2,618 hours since new. The last annual inspection was completed on January 23, 2006, at a total airframe time of 2,561.6 hours. According to the maintenance records, the most recent maintenance performed was the replacement of the alternator on July 18, 2006.

At 1353 local, the automated surface observing system at MLC, reported wind from 170 at 12 knots, gusting 17 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a few clouds at 6,500 feet, temperature 97 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.91 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The in-flight fuel leak and fire as result of electrical arcing of a fuel line connecting the engine driven fuel pump and the electric fuel pump.