COWLING – RIGHT SIDE – HOLD OPEN LATCH/LEVER SLIPPED LOOSE IN FLIGHT AND FELL DOWN ON BATTERY MASTER RELAY CAUSING A SHORT AND BURNED OUT THE DIODES USED TO APPLY POWER TO THE RELAY COIL. NO SMOKE OR FIRE AND NO INDICATION INFLIGHT. THE "CLIPS" THAT HOLD THIS ROD TO THE COWLING TOP HAVE LOOSENED THE GRIP ALLOWING THE ROD TO SLIP. I HAVE SQUEEZED THESE CLIPS TO PREVENT THIS BUT OVER TIME THE CLIPS LOOSEN. I HAVE TIGHTENED THEM AND APPLIED HEAT SHRINK TO THE ROD TO INCREASE THE GRIP IN THE CLIPS. UPON THE NEXT ENGINE START THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS ELECTRICALLY DEAD AND WE DISCOVERED THE DIODES HAD SHORTED AND BURNED. REPLACED THE DIODES BY USING NEW DIODES (4005 AS CALLED FOR IN THE PARTS MANUAL) INSPECTED WIRING AND SYSTEM WORKED WITH NO ANOMALIES. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS COWLING HOLD OPEN LATCH/ROD IS LOOSE ON OTHER BONANZA'S.
| Incident date | May 9, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | BEECH F33A |
| Registration | N4147S |
| Affected area | Cargo |
| Event type | Battery Fire |
| Verification | Official |
Sources
- FAA SDR: N4147S battery fire report on 2025-05-09 (external.apic4e.faa.gov)
This entry summarizes publicly reported information and links to the original reporting or official record. Details can change as authorities and operators release additional information.