Probable cause
An in-flight fire in the engine compartment for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that at the completion of a 1-hour cross-country flight, and while on the downwind leg for landing, he added power and observed flames coming out of the top and right side of the engine's cowling. The pilot initiated a turn towards the runway and landed uneventfully. Fire trucks responded and put out the fire. The pilot, who was an airframe and powerplant mechanic, reported that he had recently installed the engine, a Pratt & Whitney R-985-14B, following a major overhaul. The airplane had flown 3.5 hours since installation of the engine. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed extensive fire damage to the engine and forward part of the airframe, which precluded determination of the reason for the fire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA247 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 19, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Joshua Tree, California
- Nearest airport
- Roy Williams Airport (L80)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Boeing A75N1
- N-number
- N450JN
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.