Probable cause
Failure of the engine driven fuel pump which led to a fuel leak and subsequent fire in the engine compartment.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor attempted to start the airplane for the instructional flight when the engine started and began to sputter a few seconds later. He moved the mixture control forward, but the engine quit. The instructor then saw black smoke emanating from the engine cowl. He continued cranking the engine in an attempt to draw the fire into the engine. The fire continued so the flight instructor ordered an evacuation of the airplane. The subsequent fire substantially damaged the engine compartment.
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the highest intensity heat and fire was near the engine driven fuel pump. The fuel pump subsequently leaked when it was pressurized with fuel. It is likely the failure of the engine-driven pump allowed fuel to exit and become exposed to the hot engine, which caused the fire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA208 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 3, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Nearest airport
- Hector Intl (FAR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA32
- N-number
- N3869W
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.