Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 359; Flight Crew Type 359
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
Aircraft was extremely difficult to start on multiple occasions before this attempt to fly; both by me and at least two other pilots in the club. I tried to start the aircraft three times per POH cold start procedures; including a flooded start procedure and on the last attempt to start (the aircraft never started) after exiting the aircraft I noticed a small flame above the nose wheel and smoke. I grabbed the fire extinguisher; put the small flame out and opened the oil door to inspect for flame in the cowl which I saw none. All smoke was also gone. I noticed soot/black on the bottom of the cowl. I put the aircraft away; secured it; squawked it as grounded in the flight scheduling system and notified the club. I believe several things caused this incident including the apparent need to prime the aircraft more than other carburetor equipped airplanes I have ever flown to get it to start. Human factors wise I was facing external pressure and attempted a start more times that I should have because one of the leaders of the club joked in front of others that I 'just didn't know how to start a carburetor [equipped] aircraft' despite the fact I have many hours operating them. This was a factor in my successive attempts (keep trying vs. stop; squawk the aircraft and call them for a mechanic to look at it).
C182 pilot reported noticing a small flame above the nose wheel after several unsuccessful attempts to start the carburetor equipped aircraft.