Amateur-built COZY III N904DB accident near Los Lunas, New Mexico

Probable cause

A loose oil line, which allowed oil to leak onto the hot engine turbocharger and resulted in a fire.

NTSB analysis

While taxiing after landing, the engine lost power, and the pilot turned the airplane off the runway. The pilot exited the airplane and noticed smoke at the rear of the airplane near the engine. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire; however, his efforts were unsuccessful, and the airplane was consumed by the fire. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 4.9 flight hours. Postaccident examination of the airplane found loose B-nuts on two fuel lines and one oil line. An oil streak was noted on the runway surface, and no oil was found in the engine. The pilot stated that the fire likely resulted from oil leaking onto the hot turbocharger.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA496 for the full record.