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BE36 pilot reports a muffled bang during cruise at 7;000 feet followed by increased exhaust noise and the smell of exhaust fumes. Fearing a compromised exhaust system; an emergency is declared and vectors requested to the nearest suitable airport. Post flight revealed the fuel sump door had opened in flight.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1050177 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201211 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | Mixed |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Bonanza 36 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Service/Access Door |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Single Pilot Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 1100 Flight Crew Type 700 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe |
Narrative:
While on an IFR flight; flying at 7;000 feet; I heard a muffled bang; heard increased exhaust noise; and smelled exhaust fumes. Fearing a compromised turbocharger or exhaust system and the potential for fire; I declared an emergency to ATC and asked for vectors to the nearest airport (4 miles). While descending; I asked ATC for the tower radio frequency twice but they did not reply. After landing; it was quite apparent that they knew I was coming as the fire trucks were easily visible to me. I worried about not having contact with the tower but thought that ATC figured I was busy enough putting the airplane down successfully. The muffled bang was the fuel sump door opening in flight. It was repaired and I was on my way home the same day. Great work on ATC's part!
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: BE36 pilot reports a muffled bang during cruise at 7;000 feet followed by increased exhaust noise and the smell of exhaust fumes. Fearing a compromised exhaust system; an emergency is declared and vectors requested to the nearest suitable airport. Post flight revealed the fuel sump door had opened in flight.
Narrative: While on an IFR flight; flying at 7;000 feet; I heard a muffled bang; heard increased exhaust noise; and smelled exhaust fumes. Fearing a compromised turbocharger or exhaust system and the potential for fire; I declared an emergency to ATC and asked for vectors to the nearest airport (4 miles). While descending; I asked ATC for the Tower radio frequency twice but they did not reply. After landing; it was quite apparent that they knew I was coming as the fire trucks were easily visible to me. I worried about not having contact with the Tower but thought that ATC figured I was busy enough putting the airplane down successfully. The muffled bang was the fuel sump door opening in flight. It was repaired and I was on my way home the same day. Great work on ATC's part!
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.