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I can't think on anything worse than an engine fire and it's important to discuss what to do when you have to deal with an in-flight fire.
It's interesting how the timing of things work out. On the ES list, we're having a discussion about making your own oil hoses for a remote mounted oil filter. Whether to use Aeroquip fittings and hoses like we use for our fuel lines from the wings through the fuselage, or have professionally manufactured and tested hoses made to order. The consensus is to only use professionally built hoses in the engine compartment.
It's way too early to conjecture of what happened in this accident, but I think any engine fire has the potential to be caused by faulty hoses or incorrect fittings, poor firesleeve installation, or anything else that might have been overlooked during engine installation or maintenance. I started having an A&P "annual" my engine every other year. He's a Bonanza mechanic and works on two IVPs on the field also. Every time he's found a couple little things. I think there's an increased risk that something will be missed when only one set of eyes is responsible for making sure our engines and airframes are airworthy.
Any accident causes me to reflect on my own level of skill as a pilot and MECHANIC.
Mike Easley
Colorado Springs
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