It will be interesting to find out how the fire was caused. I've
pointed out for years that the engines themselves rarely fail but the
ancillary parts can be problematic. If a fuel line broke because of
improper use of materials or using a solid connection rather than
something that flexes, that could cause a fire real quickly.

Even the professionally built Stewart S-51 had a number of engine
outs, none of them caused by the engine itself.

Corky Scott
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Professionally built means what?
Squat?

There are all kinds of "gotcha's".
Hopefully, a few less with the "PROS".
Possibly not. Depends on a number of factors...
and your definition of "professional'.

In the case of the Stewart S-51 with it's choice
of engine and high stall speed, it will remain a
"professional " time bomb for some time to come.

Unarguably, the devil is in the details. Stating the obvious...
there are infinitely less lethal issues to deal with when you fly
with the certified devils and dinosaurs that you know.

The least amount of "gotcha's" will remain with simple
certified aircraft. Next in line are homebuilts with certified
aircraft engines of the same garden variety.The reasons are
obvious... at least to someone like me with 50 years as an
airborne throttle jockey. If you do not concur, a couple
more decades of flight under your belt might help you
see the light and survive 50 years flight, yourself.


Barnyard BOb -