Probable cause
An on-ground engine fire, the source of which could not be determined based on the available evidence.
NTSB analysis
The rear-facing engine was mounted on top of the cabin on the amphibious airplane. During the landing roll, the pilot opened the airplane’s gull wing door and a fire erupted from the rear of the cabin, travelling forward. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane as it rolled off the runway into a grass area, came to rest upright, and was consumed by fire. Review of maintenance logbooks revealed that an overhauled engine was installed about 5 hours before the accident, which included a new fuel supply flex hose and oil cooler; however, due to the extensive thermal damage, examination could not determine the source of the fire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20LA285 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 14, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- West Palm Beach, Florida
- Nearest airport
- North Palm Beach County Genera (F45)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Lake LA4
- N-number
- N2994P
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.