What happened
On August 20, 2007, at approximately 10:33 JST, a China Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration B18616, was parked at spot 41 of Naha Airport when a fire broke out near the number two engine. An assistant maintenance engineer first alerted the cockpit via interphone that a fire was developing. The captain immediately initiated emergency procedures, announcing to the passengers that the crew was on station and instructing them to prepare for evacuation.
As the cabin crew prepared the exits, the aircraft underwent a rapid emergency evacuation. Passengers exited via several slides, including the 3R, 1L, 1R, and 3L. During the evacuation process, the aircraft experienced a series of intense explosions. The first major burst occurred under the right wing at approximately 10:36:11, which was violent enough to cause the First Officer, who was evacuating through the right cockpit window, to fall to the ground. Subsequent explosions were recorded under the fuselage.
As the fire spread, the aircraft's structural integrity was compromised; video analysis showed the fuselage bending at the center portion and the tail section shifting. The right wing eventually tilted downward until the wingtip made contact with the ground. Despite the intense fire and multiple explosions, there were no fatalities or injuries reported during the event.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the aircraft' and the surrounding environment to determine the origin of the fire. Investigators analyzed flight data recorders (DFDR), cockpit voice recorders (CVR), and airport surveillance footage. The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the right wing, specifically inspecting the slat mechanism and the downstop assembly.
Technical teams scrutinized the maintenance history of the aircraft, looking for any irregularities in recent work performed on the wing components. The investigation also reviewed the response of the Naha Airport fire-fighting services, including the arrival times of fire engines and the effectiveness of the fire-extinguishing agents used to combat the blaze.