The pilot was on approach to land at the airport in Saint James, Minnesota, when he saw birds in his peripheral vision. He then heard and felt them hit his Glasair.
He landed, taxied to the run-up pad, and shut down the engine because he smelled something burning.
After he got out of the airplane, he saw smoke. He used the on-board fire extinguisher in an attempt to extinguish the engine compartment fire, but was unsuccessful, and the fire subsequently destroyed the airplane.
Probable Cause: An in-flight bird strike which resulted in an engine compartment fire that ultimately destroyed the airplane.
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This July 2024 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
So unfortunate that a bird strike caused the destruction.
I suspect that a bird entered the cowl and fractured 1 of more of the fuel injector lines, spraying fuel , which ignited.