OPERATOR1 HAD ONBOARD NC 0646 CR, HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER, SON IN LAW, AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN.  THIS WAS AROUND 4:30PM ON 5/27/10.  OPERATOR1HAD PULLED UP TO THE FUEL DOCK AT ROLLINGVIEW MARINA.  (SON IN LAW) WAS FUELING THE BOAT UP.  OPERATOR1 STATED TO ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE BLOWER WAS RUNNING.  SUDDENLY THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION.  son in law HELPED REMOVE WIFE AND THE TWO GRANDCHILDREN FROM THE BOAT. Two others ASSISTED OPERATOR1 FROM THE BOAT. 

DURHAM EMS ARRIVED AND TRASPORTED four TO DUKE HOSPITAL.  THESE VICTIMS ONLY SUFFERED MINOR BURNS TO THE LEGS AND ANKLES.

OPERATOR1 RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS BOAT.  IT WAS A WORK IN PROGRESS.  OPERATOR1 HAD THE FUEL TANK AND DISTRIBUTOR REPLACED BY previous owner,  HE ALSO CHECKED THE FUEL LINE AND WATER SEPARATOR, THEN CLEANED THE CARBURETOR.  PREVIOUS OWNER ADVISED THAT THE TRIM TAB PUMPS WERE INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND LEAKING FLUID, THIS WAS ALSO REPAIRED BY PREVIOUS OWNER.

UPON MY PERSONAL INSPECTION OF THE BOAT I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL SENDING WIRE WASN'T ATTACHED TO THE FUEL GAUGE.  THE BILGE PUMPS WERE NOT PROPERLY FASTENED DOWN.  THERE WAS A PARTIAL FULL METAL FIVE GALLON OF GAS ONBOARD.  THE BOLT TO THE BACKSPARK FLAME ARRESTOR WAS NOT TIGHTENED DOWN PROPERLY.  THE FUEL TANK VENT LINE WAS NOT SECURED.  THE EXHAUST HOSE FROM THE BLOWER WAS MELTED AND NOT CONNECTED TO THE BLOWER.  THE FUEL LINE GOING INTO THE CARBURETOR WAS LOOSE.  FIRE EXTINGUISHER PROPELLANT WAS COVING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER AREA OF THE BOAT.

THERE WERE SIX TYPE II PFD'S ONBOARD (TWO CHILD SIZE AND FOUR ADULT SIZE).  THERE WASN'T A TYPE IV PFD ONBOARD.  THE ENGINE COWLING, JUMP SEATS, AND TRANSOM COVER WERE ALL DESTROYED.  I TESTED THE BLOWER AND IT CAME ON WHEN I TURNED THE SWITCH.  

I HAVE A SIGNED STATEMENT FROM TA WITNESS WHO WAS PRESNET PRIOR TO AND DURING THE EXPLOSION THAT THE ENGINE ON THE BOAT WAS RUNNING AND THAT THE BLOWER WAS ALSO RUNNING.  THERE WERE NO CHARGES WITH THIS ACCIDENT.
DURHAM                        