Mistakenly flying with an expired medical certificate; the pilot of a C421 encountered a false fire ...

Attributes
ACN	847394
Time
Date	200908
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Golden Eagle 421
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Final Approach
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Powerplant Fire/Overheat Warning
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Maintenance Powerplant Maintenance Airframe
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25 Flight Crew Total 5500 Flight Crew Type 600
Person 2
Qualification	Maintenance Powerplant Maintenance Airframe
Experience	Maintenance Technician 32
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural FAR

Narrative:

On approximately a two mile final; the right engine fire warning light began to flicker lightly. Inspected visually; engine indicators and detected no actual fire or exhaust leak indications. Advised tower as a precautionary measure to alert fire crew. Upon touchdown the light immediately went out and remained out. Taxied to ramp and after shutdown and passenger egress; I removed the cowling for troubleshooting and inspection. Found no evidence of exhaust leak or excess heat or fire. Found the wires going to the firewall sensor probe located aft and outboard had two bare spots where the insulation had come off and exposed the wires. No breakage in the wires or other potential defects were noted. Repaired the wires utilizing 3M electrical tape and secured them so as to be clear of any possible chafing or obstructions. Re cowled the aircraft and ground ran with no defects noted. Determined the repair to be airworthy and returned aircraft to service. I am a qualified airframe and powerplant mechanic also. After review of flight and self critique I noted that--although I had scheduled a flight physical last week which did not occur--my physical had expired. I would not have made a different decision as to the precautionary call even if I had known of the medical but I am concerned that any repercussion in such 'few days over' honest mistake situation could cause some to hesitate to call for ground assistance for fear of a certificate problem. I take full responsibility for my failure to pick up on this.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Mistakenly flying with an expired medical certificate; the pilot of a C421 encountered a false fire warning on short approach and requested CFR equipment. Fears certificate action account the lapsed medical.

Narrative: On approximately a two mile final; the right engine fire warning light began to flicker lightly. Inspected visually; engine indicators and detected no actual fire or exhaust leak indications. Advised tower as a precautionary measure to alert fire crew. Upon touchdown the light immediately went out and remained out. Taxied to ramp and after shutdown and passenger egress; I removed the cowling for troubleshooting and inspection. Found no evidence of exhaust leak or excess heat or fire. Found the wires going to the firewall sensor probe located aft and outboard had two bare spots where the insulation had come off and exposed the wires. No breakage in the wires or other potential defects were noted. Repaired the wires utilizing 3M electrical tape and secured them so as to be clear of any possible chafing or obstructions. Re cowled the aircraft and ground ran with no defects noted. Determined the repair to be airworthy and returned aircraft to service. I am a qualified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic also. After review of flight and self critique I noted that--although I had scheduled a flight physical last week which did not occur--my physical had expired. I would not have made a different decision as to the precautionary call even if I had known of the medical but I am concerned that any repercussion in such 'few days over' honest mistake situation could cause some to hesitate to call for ground assistance for fear of a certificate problem. I take full responsibility for my failure to pick up on this.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Mistakenly flying with an expired medical certificate; the pilot of a C421 encountered a false fire warning on short approach and requested crash fire rescue equipment equipment. Fears certificate action account the lapsed medical.