Engine Fire During Landing Roll Following Component Failure

Casualties unknown • Windsor Locks, CT, US

An engine fire occurred during the landing roll of an aircraft, leading to an emergency evacuation after fuel escaped a heat exchanger component.

What happened

During the landing roll, a fire erupted in the right engine of the aircraft. Once the airplane had come to a complete stop on the runway, the engines were shut down and the occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft.

The investigation

Investigators examined the fuel/oil heat exchanger to determine the source of the leak. They discovered that one of the three studs used to secure the fuel filter to the heat exchanger had pulled out of its housing. This failure allowed fuel to spill into the engine bay, where it made contact with hot engine surfaces, resulting in the fire.

The component involved had accumulated approximately 1,000 hours of operation since its last overhaul. Upon inspection of the unit, investigators found that the stud had pulled out of an oversized lug hole.

Furthermore, a review of the manufacturer's overhaul manual indicated that there was insufficient information regarding the procedures for working with the lug holes. Specifically, the manual lacked adequate instructions on how to ensure the holes were properly drilled and how to verify that the studs were correctly inserted into the holes.

Probable cause

The engine fire was caused by a fuel leak resulting from a stud pulling out of an oversized lug hole in the fuel/oil heat exchanger, compounded by inadequate instructions in the manufacturer's overhaul manual regarding proper drilling and stud insertion procedures.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-01-22 Aerospatiale ATR-42-320 accident near Windsor Locks, CT?

An engine fire occurred during the landing roll of an aircraft, leading to an emergency evacuation after fuel escaped a heat exchanger component.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-01-22 involved a Aerospatiale ATR-42-320, registration N15827, operated by Continental Express, at Windsor Locks, CT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine fire was caused by a fuel leak resulting from a stud pulling out of an oversized lug hole in the fuel/oil heat exchanger, compounded by inadequate instructions in the manufacturer's overhaul manual regarding proper drilling and stud insertion procedures.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09494. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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