AAIB investigation to Colomban MC-30 Luciole, G-CIBJ

Electrical short resulting in fire, farm strip at Thankerton, South Lanarkshire, 10 April 2019.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 14 November 2019

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 10 April 2019
• Aircraft type: Colomban MC-30 Luciole
• Location: Farm strip at Thankerton, South Lanarkshire
• Registration: G-CIBJ

Summary:

After a local flight, the ground taxi route back to the hangar involved several tight turns and when full left rudder pedal was applied the cockpit filled with smoke. The pilot exited the aircraft without injury and the ensuing fire consumed the aircraft. It is suspected that the terminals of the starter solenoid were not insulated, and the rudder pedal created an electrical short circuit which damaged a fuel pipe and ignited the fuel. Several Safety Actions have been taken to prevent recurrence.

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Colomban MC-30 Luciole, G-CIBJ 11-19

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Published 14 November 2019