No fatalities

Engine Fire Prompts Emergency Landing and Evacuation; Slide/Raft Malfunctions Noted (EC-DNP)

Jamaica, NY, US

On August 11, 2002, a Boeing 747-256 (registration EC-DNP) was involved in an aviation accident near Jamaica, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An accessory gearbox fire of the number 2 engine, due to hot air bypassing a damaged compressor air seal stack, which resulted in an emergency evacuation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered EC-DNP
Aircraft registered EC-DNP. Photo: Maarten Visser from Capelle aan den IJssel, Nederland / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Aircraft experienced number 2 engine fire during initial climb; emergency landing and evacuation performed. Slide/rafts at doors 4R and 5R failed to operate; all evacuated via other doors. Engine teardown revealed disengaged components and worn seal.

Incident Overview

During the initial climb after takeoff, a fire occurred in the number 2 engine. The flight crew executed an emergency landing, followed by an evacuation. All 369 passengers and 17 crew members evacuated the aircraft through doors 1R, 2R, and 3R.

Evacuation and Slide/Raft Examination

During the evacuation, the slide/rafts at doors 4R and 5R did not operate as intended. Examination of the 4R slide/raft revealed a fractured inflation hose in the area of the regulator end swivel wire groove. Examination of the 5R slide/raft did not disclose any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation.

Engine Examination

The number 2 engine sustained an under cowl fire in the area of the accessory gearbox. Teardown of the engine revealed that the high-pressure compressor (HPC) forward air seal stack had become disengaged from the hub. The key washer and retaining nut were found disengaged from the threads on the HPC rear shaft. Evidence of light, grooved scoring was observed on the HPC shaft in the area where the retaining nut was found loose. The key washer anti-rotation slots in the HPC hub exhibited contact marks. Dimensional measurements of the HPC rear hub were within specification; however, the HPC hub snap diameter for the front air seal was worn out-of-limits.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Aug 2002 Boeing 747-256 accident near Jamaica, NY?

Aircraft experienced number 2 engine fire during initial climb; emergency landing and evacuation performed. Slide/rafts at doors 4R and 5R failed to operate; all evacuated via other doors. Engine teardown revealed disengaged components and worn seal.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Aug 2002 Boeing 747-256 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Aug 2002 involved a Boeing 747-256, registration EC-DNP, at Jamaica, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An accessory gearbox fire of the number 2 engine, due to hot air bypassing a damaged compressor air seal stack, which resulted in an emergency evacuation.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020826X01462. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.