Narrative:

After second flight of day (total of 2.9 hours) with OAT of approximately 35 degrees C; attempted start using normal procedures; suspecting that 'hot' start might be required. Using normal checklist procedures; after approximately 10-15 seconds of cranking; there was no indication of start at all. Discontinued normal start; and waited approximately 30 seconds. I sniffed to see if there were any indication of fuel/flooding; but detected none from service window. Attempted 'hot start' as I had been instructed by owner/maintenance personnel to be done in such circumstances: full throttle; fuel pumps off; mixture to idle. Engine had indication of start after approximately 5-10 seconds; so I advanced mixture; but engine did not 'catch' and continue. After a total starter engagement of approximately 15-20 seconds; I discontinued the start.I shut down all switches; including master switches; and began a 5 minute waiting period due to temperature outside and to protect starter motor. After approximately 20-30 seconds; I saw black smoke coming from passenger side cowling. I removed fire extinguisher; went to passenger side cowling and opened it; seeing a 'small cantaloupe' sized flame ball more on the port side under the engine. I went to port side and opened cowling; spraying extinguisher three different times into bay area and flames all subsided. I called [the FBO] immediately thereafter; sending photos of damage and answering questions. I subsequently returned home via rental car; leaving aircraft at FBO since [the aircraft's FBO] was sending mechanic up the following morning to repair. This aircraft has had similar starting problems in the past; including an incident last fall to which I was witness/participant; following almost exactly the same scenario; resulting in extinguisher needed and fire damage to engine and cowling.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA-28 pilot reported that he was unable to start the aircraft after multiple tries. While waiting for the starter to cool down he noticed smoke coming from the cowling and extinguished the fire. The plane had previously experienced a similar problem.

Narrative: After second flight of day (total of 2.9 hours) with OAT of approximately 35 degrees C; attempted start using normal procedures; suspecting that 'hot' start might be required. Using normal checklist procedures; after approximately 10-15 seconds of cranking; there was no indication of start at all. Discontinued normal start; and waited approximately 30 seconds. I sniffed to see if there were any indication of fuel/flooding; but detected none from service window. Attempted 'hot start' as I had been instructed by owner/maintenance personnel to be done in such circumstances: full throttle; fuel pumps off; mixture to idle. Engine had indication of start after approximately 5-10 seconds; so I advanced mixture; but engine did not 'catch' and continue. After a total starter engagement of approximately 15-20 seconds; I discontinued the start.I shut down all switches; including master switches; and began a 5 minute waiting period due to temperature outside and to protect starter motor. After approximately 20-30 seconds; I saw black smoke coming from passenger side cowling. I removed fire extinguisher; went to passenger side cowling and opened it; seeing a 'small cantaloupe' sized flame ball more on the port side under the engine. I went to port side and opened cowling; spraying extinguisher three different times into bay area and flames all subsided. I called [the FBO] immediately thereafter; sending photos of damage and answering questions. I subsequently returned home via rental car; leaving aircraft at FBO since [the aircraft's FBO] was sending mechanic up the following morning to repair. This aircraft has had similar starting problems in the past; including an incident last fall to which I was witness/participant; following almost exactly the same scenario; resulting in extinguisher needed and fire damage to engine and cowling.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.