On 5-25-12, I was contacted by CPO at approximately 10:55 AM.  He informed me there was a boat on fire at the Browning Landing.  He said all people were accounted for, and there was one person burned in the accident.  I responded and to the Browning Landing.  CPO responded to the Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.  We had learned through dispatch the wounded passenger had been taken there.

Upon arrival at the Browning Landing, I was able to meet with owner/operator of the boat.  He described the accident to me.  He said they had launched the boat at approximately 10:30 AM.  He pushed the boat from shore and drifted at idle, until he had reached near the middle of the navigation channel.  He was now pointing downstream.  He began to push the throttles forward, when he heard a “Boom!”   The engine compartment had exploded, and the transom area of the boat was on fire. 

Operator described to me where all passengers had been located at the time of the explosion.  He was at the steering wheel, Occupant1 was across from him on the port side, Occupant2 was located behind him on a bench seat, and occupant3 was next to her on the port side.  Operator said he immediately began using the fire extinguishers to attempt at putting out the fire.  He unsuccessfully emptied both.  Occupant3 spoke with CPO at the hospital and said he had told the girls to jump off of the boat.  Occupant3 looked into the water and saw Occupant2 was struggling.  He then jumped in to assist her.  Occupant3 helped Occupant2 to shore and looked back at the boat.  Operator exited the boat and went towards Occupant1 who was struggling now in the water.  A passing boat was able to assist Occupant1 by throwing a type IV device to her.  All passengers were able to make it to shore.  Occupant3 performed first aid on Occupant2.  Occupant2 had suffered severe burns to her back.

I began taking photos of the boat. These photos are included with the report. It had burned completely to the waterline.   I was able to locate a spark arrestor in the burned remains.   All hoses, ventilation tubes, and wiring were either melted or burned from their original locations. There was nothing salvageable from the wreckage.  All personal items were lost in the fire. The remains of the boat and descriptions of the incident by witnesses leads me to the conclusion there may have been fuel vapors in the engine compartment of the boat. When Operator pushed the throttle from idle, a spark or flame was generated, causing the explosion. Operator claims there were no noticeable fuel leaks, loose connections, or faulty wiring in the engine compartment.  I asked if they had smelled fuel on the boat. They told me no, but he had just put 30 gallons in the tank prior to launching.  He told me he knew how to use the blowers to vent the compartment.

I was able to speak with CPO after clearing the scene.  She had a written statement from Occupant3 that was taken at the hospital.  It is included in the report attachments.  Occupant2 was treated and released from the Culbertson Memorial hospital in Rushville.  I learned she was later taken to Memorial Hospital in Springfield due to complications from her burns.

Browning IL                   