1991-08-22: Boeing 747-151 — Northwest Airlines, Inc — Seattle, WA

Casualties unknown • Seattle, WA, US

Probable cause

A FIRE IN THE NUMBER 4 ENGINE, RESULTING FROM A FUEL LEAK AT THE MAIN FUEL CONTROL UNIT, DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY UNKNOWN/UNDETERMINED PERSON. THE L5 EMERGENCY EXIT FAILED TO OPERATEE DUE TO A BROKEN PLASTIC PULLEY GUARD IN THE SLIDE RELEASE MECHANISM.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE NO 4 ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE CREW ACTIVATED THE ENGINE FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM, DUMPED FUEL, AND RETURNED TO THE ARPT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE NO 4 ENGINE FIRE AND A GRASS FIRE AT THE RWY T/D ZONE WERE EXTINGUISHED BY ARPT CFR CREW. AN EMERGENCY EVAC WAS CONDUCTED FROM THE LEFT SIDE AFTER THE ACFT STOPPED ON THE RWY. THE L5 EMERGENCY DOOR AND SLIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY FOR THE EVAC. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAK FROM THE MAIN FUEL CONTROL UNIT.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-08-22 Boeing 747-151 accident near Seattle, WA?

THE NO 4 ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE CREW ACTIVATED THE ENGINE FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM, DUMPED FUEL, AND RETURNED TO THE ARPT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE NO 4 ENGINE FIRE AND A GRASS FIRE AT THE RWY T/D ZONE WERE EXTINGUISHED BY ARPT CFR CREW. AN EMERGENCY EVAC WAS CONDUCTED FROM THE LEFT…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-08-22 involved a Boeing 747-151, registration N604US, operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc, at Seattle, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A FIRE IN THE NUMBER 4 ENGINE, RESULTING FROM A FUEL LEAK AT THE MAIN FUEL CONTROL UNIT, DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY UNKNOWN/UNDETERMINED PERSON. THE L5 EMERGENCY EXIT FAILED TO OPERATEE DUE TO A BROKEN PLASTIC PULLEY GUARD IN THE SLIDE RELEASE MECHANISM.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17976. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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