Broken Exhaust Stack, Cowling Fire Risk - Apr 2003

Indeed it would. I had not only a cracked exhaust but the hose that
diverts gas from the carb drip pan away from the exhaust pipe came off.
Talk about an accident waiting to happen! Bill

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Date:         Fri, 18 Apr 2003 14:50:48 -0400
Reply-To:     Ximango Owners Group <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
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From:         Bruce Schimmel <bruce@SCHIMMEL.COM>
Subject:      broken exhaust stack, cowling fire risk?
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Your opinion, please, gentlemen and ladies:

Would a cracked or broken exhaust stack create a significant risk for
a cowling fire?

(...in addition to the melting of holes into the fibreglass cowling.)
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Date:         Fri, 18 Apr 2003 13:48:55 -0600
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From:         William Cotton <cotton@ATMOS.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: broken exhaust stack, cowling fire risk?
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Indeed it would. I had not only a cracked exhaust but the hose that
diverts gas from the carb drip pan away from the exhaust pipe came off.
Talk about an accident waiting to happen! Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: Ximango Owners Group [mailto:XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM] On
Behalf Of Bruce Schimmel
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 12:51 PM
To: XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Subject: broken exhaust stack, cowling fire risk?

Your opinion, please, gentlemen and ladies:

Would a cracked or broken exhaust stack create a significant risk for
a cowling fire?

(...in addition to the melting of holes into the fibreglass cowling.)
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 18 Apr 2003 19:02:49 -0500
Reply-To:     Ximango Owners Group <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Ximango Owners Group <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Horst Stratmann <horst.stratmann@UPCGROUP.COM>
Subject:      Re: broken exhaust stack, cowling fire risk?
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Yes I think this would be a big risk and I think someone got already a
fire due to this.

Best regards

Horst Stratmann
S/B 096


-----Original Message-----
From: Ximango Owners Group [mailto:XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM] On
Behalf Of Bruce Schimmel
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 1:51 PM
To: XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Subject: broken exhaust stack, cowling fire risk?


Your opinion, please, gentlemen and ladies:

Would a cracked or broken exhaust stack create a significant risk for a
cowling fire?

(...in addition to the melting of holes into the fibreglass cowling.)
=========================================================================
Date:         Sat, 19 Apr 2003 13:17:50 EDT
Reply-To:     Ximango Owners Group <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Ximango Owners Group <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         LWENDELBO@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: broken exhaust stack, cowling fire risk?
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Hi everyone,

On April 4th, my 300-106 had a significant fire in from of my hanger (Thank
God!) Although we have not determined the cause, something's are suspect.

I had just shut down my engine after taxing back to my from having had my
annual completed. I smelled fuel, then whoosh I was engulfed in flames. Not
one to become an immediate member of the Crispy Critter Club, I decided
perhaps a little to quickly to bail out thru the opening canopy, I did get a
slight concussion and cut on my follically challenged head. My knees and legs
were banged up when I stood up: I was not aware that the age enhanced could
move so fast.

Just the facts:1. Returned from annual 2. Not aware of anyone working on the
fuel system other than cleaning the fuel filter 3. after extinguishing the
fire and opening the cowling, we found that the fuel drain line from below
the left carburetor had melted and separated from the bowl drain. 4.
Mechanics have since run the engine with no problems or fuel leaks.

Lockwaood Aviation (Rotax) thinks it might have been a stuck needle valve in
the carb. But they are not sure. Also, the temp probe on the exhaust is about
1/4 inch from the bottom of the carb drain bowl.

I will be meeting with the insurance adjuster on Monday, April 21st. This
will be the determining factor as to weather the bird is repairable or
salvage.

I am willing to talk with anyone about their concerns.

Lee Wendelbo
3058 NW Colonial Dr
Bend, OR 97701
541-330-9706
lwendelbo@aol.com
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Date:         Sun, 20 Apr 2003 13:23:57 EDT
Reply-To:     Ximango Owners Group <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
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From:         Rgbazma@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: broken exhaust stack, cowling fire risk?
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Lee, had you taxied back with the electric fuel pump on? I have been told
that too much fuel pressure can override the float. Of course that still does
not account for the fire, unless the carb drain line had become
dis-connected. Dick Brown