172 Caught on Fire

[pelmet]

From TSB...

C-GAMN, an AAA Aviation Cessna 172K operated by Acadia College, departed Langley Regional
Airport (CYNJ), BC, under visual flight rules (VFR) for a student navigation trip returning to CYNJ
with only the pilot on board. The flight planned route was a round trip that followed the VFR flight
path to Princeton Aerodrome (CYDC), BC, and returned via the same route. The en route clouds
were slightly lower than forecasted and, when the student arrived overtop of Hope Aerodrome
(CYHE), BC, the pilot elected to return to CYNJ. Shortly after turning back, the pilot noted smoke in
the cockpit that appeared to be coming from the floor area on the left side of the cabin
accompanied with the mild smell of burning plastic. The pilot landed intact in a field on the north
side of the Fraser River, 12 nautical miles northeast of Chilliwack Airport (CYCW), BC. Once on
the ground, the pilot egressed the aircraft and used the fire extinguisher in an attempt to douse the
flames. It had little effect, and the aircraft began to burn. The pilot returned to the aircraft to turn on
the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and then moved to a far end of the field. The Canadian
Mission Control Centre (CMCC) received the ELT signal. The pilot contacted 911 and first
responders attended the scene. The pilot suffered minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.

[digits_]

Now there's a solo flight the pilot will never forget

Very nicely handled! A lot of pilots would have been tempted to carry on to an airport instead of landing in a field. Great choice that likely saved lives that day.

[shamrock104]

Handled well, great job.

[Dias]

They can be my wingman any time!