Date: 201512
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Military Bomber
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class D ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Engine
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Workload
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We had transited airport ZZZ airspace approximately 5 minutes prior and had just started a climb as the Class B airspace overhead allowed. I detected smoke accumulating in the cabin and discovered the #2 engine was trailing heavy smoke from the vicinity of the cowling and cowl flaps. The Pilot Flying (PF) began an immediate turn back towards ZZZ while I; Pilot Not Flying (PNF); contacted the Tower; [requested priority handling]; and requested a straight-in landing opposite to the direction of traffic. We flew direct to the approach end.The engine was still making some power and the decision was made to continue operating it at reduced power. We ran the engine failure checklist to the point of feathering and securing the engine.As we approached ZZZ; the #2 engine began to run rough and the propeller RPM made an uncommanded and abrupt increase. A portion of the #2 engine cowling departed the nacelle and oil and fuel were streaming from the now un-cowled portion of the engine. I brought this to the PF's attention and asked if he wanted the engine shut down. A fire developed and I immediately shut down the #2 engine and feathered the propeller. The fire extinguished as soon as the engine was shut down. I advised Tower that the #2 engine was shut down and that we had had a fire that now appeared to be out; but requested that the fire vehicles be standing by upon landing.A normal; one engine landing was made and we exited midfield. No further fire existed and after being cleared by the fire response crew; we had the aircraft towed to a parking pad.


Second narrative: While ferrying an aircraft; approximately 45 minutes after takeoff we experienced smoke in the aircraft and noted oil streaming from inboard of right engine along with engine RPM increase; shortly thereafter [copilot] noticed what appeared like flames within engine compartment. At this point it was prudent to advise ZZZ Tower that we [need priority handling] due to an engine fire and clearance to [the] runway which was opposite of current traffic flow to expedite a landing. Engine was feathered and landing was uneventful. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) responded according and when no fire indicated we egressed the aircraft. I was able exit active runway with left engine and stopped aircraft on taxiway. Later we obtained a tug and parked aircraft clear of active movement areas.


Synopsis: The flight crew of a North American B-25 reported observing indications of impending engine failure - oil steaming from the cowling; followed by visible flames. The engine was shut down; the propeller feathered; and an emergency single engine approach and landing was successfully accomplished.