Cessna 172K accident near Fresno, California, March 29, 1993
On March 29, 1993 at about 5:15 am local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N758XY, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fresno, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the improper installation of an electrical wire bundle, and, the chaffing and subsequent arcing of the wires against a fuel line which resulted in a fire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 1993 · about 5:15 am local time
- Place
- Fresno, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N758XY · no longer on the register · serial R1723452
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he and his three passengers were in cruise flight when a fire erupted under the cabin floor. He said he put the fire out using the airplane's hand held fire extinguisher. The pilot diverted to a closer airport and landed the airplane without further incident. An examination of the airplane by FAA safety inspectors revealed the fire began when an electrical wire bundle, located next to and touching a fuel line, abraded on the fuel line and arced. The electrical arc burned a hole in the fuel line which allowed fuel to leak. The leaking fuel ignited. The wire bundle was not supported which allowed it to rub against the fuel line. The airplane's operator reported that the wire's installation occurred prior to them obtaining the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 3,400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,714 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 6, 1992; 91 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360KB (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Golden Eagle Enterprises, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: 3O8 Coalinga CA at 4:45 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; not recorded at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 am from FA, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.