Spoiler alert: for those looking for updates on the Cross Country of Justice, updates are coming, but you'll see why they're delayed...and how it ended.
After landing in The Dalles, Oregon (okay, technically the airport is in Washington) for the night, and starting up to taxi from the fuel pump to the tie downs I developed an engine fire. Engine wasn't starting--figured it was flooded and didn't want to run down the battery so I hopped out to push it to the tie downs...and saw a glow under the cowl. Looked down and saw flaming fuel dripping out the back of the cowl. Full story will come later (want to make sure all appropriate reporting with insurance and authorities is complete). Bottom line, all damage is forward of the firewall, but the fire burned long enough to need a complete new cowl. I had to return home to North Carolina, but the wounded bird is still at KDLS. Mechanic there can get the engine operational/safe again and do a temp patch on the cowl to get it to the Portland area (most likely) for the new cowl. Looking for anyone out there who might be willing/able to hire to do the cowl (including paint if possible--I've got the paint codes).
And if you're curious what the damage looked like under the cowl...
After landing in The Dalles, Oregon (okay, technically the airport is in Washington) for the night, and starting up to taxi from the fuel pump to the tie downs I developed an engine fire. Engine wasn't starting--figured it was flooded and didn't want to run down the battery so I hopped out to push it to the tie downs...and saw a glow under the cowl. Looked down and saw flaming fuel dripping out the back of the cowl. Full story will come later (want to make sure all appropriate reporting with insurance and authorities is complete). Bottom line, all damage is forward of the firewall, but the fire burned long enough to need a complete new cowl. I had to return home to North Carolina, but the wounded bird is still at KDLS. Mechanic there can get the engine operational/safe again and do a temp patch on the cowl to get it to the Portland area (most likely) for the new cowl. Looking for anyone out there who might be willing/able to hire to do the cowl (including paint if possible--I've got the paint codes).
And if you're curious what the damage looked like under the cowl...