Erroneous Wing Body Overheat Indication on Boeing 737-400

Casualties unknown • Hurghada HEGN, PL

A Boeing 737-400 operated by Enter Air experienced a false overheat warning during pushback at Hurghada Airport, leading to a flight restriction.

What happened

On February 4, 2016, a Boeing 737-400 operated by Enter Air sp. z o.o. was being pushed back from its parking stand at Hurghada Airport (HEGN). During this process, the crew received a WING BODY OVERHEAT indication on the left side of the cockpit.

Following the alert, the crew decided to return the aircraft to the parking stand. The event was recorded in the aircraft's technical log (EDP-1), and the Maintenance Control Center (MCC) was notified. Due to the unavailability of additional flight crew members, the captain utilized a specific one-time authorization to permit the flight to proceed under the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) provisions, specifically referencing MEL 26.12 and MEL 21.1.1.1.

Because these MEL restrictions limited the maximum allowable flight level to FL250, the flight plan was updated and additional fuel was loaded to accommodate the lower altitude. The crew operated the aircraft with the left engine bleed air system deactivated. The flight proceeded from Hurghada to Poznań (EPPO).

The investigation

Upon arrival in Poznań, maintenance personnel conducted a thorough inspection of the wing body overheat system. The technical examination included checking for leaks within the system and performing sensor tests, both of which yielded normal results. After a system reset, the overheat indication cleared. Following the successful inspection, the MEL restrictions were lifted, and the aircraft was returned to service without limitations.

Findings

  • The investigation determined that the most probable cause of the incident was a malfunction of the wing body overheat indication system for reasons that could not be determined.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by an unidentifiable malfunction in the wing body overheat signaling system, which triggered a false warning during pushback.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-02-04 Boeing 737-400 accident near Hurghada HEGN, PL?

A Boeing 737-400 operated by Enter Air experienced a false overheat warning during pushback at Hurghada Airport, leading to a flight restriction.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-02-04 involved a Boeing 737-400, at Hurghada HEGN, PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by an unidentifiable malfunction in the wing body overheat signaling system, which triggered a false warning during pushback.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2016-0183/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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