Incident Overview
An air carrier flight was aborted during takeoff after the captain heard a noise and felt a vibration emanating from the left side of the aircraft. At the time, the captain perceived the issue as a blown tire. The aircraft was subsequently brought to a stop on the active runway, and the captain issued an order for all passengers to remain seated.
Evacuation
Almost immediately after the order to remain seated was given, it was rescinded when a visual sighting confirmed that the left engine was on fire. The captain then issued a firm order to evacuate, and the evacuation of passengers was initiated. Smoke from the left engine prevented passengers using the overwing exits from deplaning in the prescribed manner. Passengers who were seriously injured were known to have jumped from the front of the wing instead of using the wing flap, which acts as a slide off the rear of the wing.
Engine Examination
Examination of the left engine revealed failure of the 4th stage turbine section.