Probable cause
An in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting agricultural operations when he noticed a "burnt wire" smell. He stated that smoke began to fill the cockpit, and he noticed flames outside the airplane. The pilot shut off the fuel selector and conducted a forced landing to a hay field. After landing, the fire consumed the majority of the airplane.
Review of maintenance records revealed the airplane's original engine was replaced by a turbine engine under a supplemental type certificate (STC); however, the STC holder did not perform or authorize the installation. Although the STC involved replacing the fuel lines every 5 years, the investigation revealed no records indicating that the fuel lines were replaced in accordance with the STC. Fire damage prevented a detailed examination of the engine installation; therefore, the origin of the fire could not be determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17LA151 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 8, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nome, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164A
- N-number
- N971QC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.