What happened
During a delayed right engine start procedure prior to departure, the flight crew failed to engage the ignition switch. During a second attempt to start the engine, an overtemperature condition occurred, leading to a tailpipe fire.
Control tower personnel observed flames exiting the exhaust stack and notified the flight crew. While the crew reported experiencing a "hot start" and believed the fire had been extinguished based on cockpit indications, following aircraft in sequence reported that flames were still visible in the exhaust. Tower personnel also confirmed the engine was still on fire.
The captain ordered an evacuation through the two doors on the left side of the aircraft. All passengers successfully exited the plane within 20 seconds of the slide deployment. During the evacuation, one passenger slid down the aft door slide and passed the crew members, resulting in a twisted right ankle. Medical examinations and X-rays later confirmed the passenger sustained a hairline fracture in her right ankle.
The investigation
An inspection of the ignition and fuel systems for the right engine was conducted. No defects were discovered in either system, and the aircraft was subsequently returned to service.