What happened
Following a significant maintenance period at the RAF Kinloss Major Servicing Unit, the Nimrod XW666 departed for a standard airtest flight. About 35 minutes into the mission, after the crew had tested the aircraft's anti-icing systems, a fire warning was triggered for the number 4 engine. As the crew initiated standard fire suppression procedures, a second fire warning appeared for the number 3 engine.
During the emergency, a crew member positioned in the rear of the aircraft observed active flames and reported that external panels were detaching from the starboard wing. Following two separate explosions, the pilot determined that the aircraft's structural stability was at risk and elected to perform an emergency ditching to prevent a total loss of control. Due to fire-related damage and subsequent hydraulic failure, the aircraft's flaps were non-functional during the descent. The aircraft struck the surface of the Moray Firth, bouncing twice before coming to rest. The impact caused the fuselage to split into two sections, leading to the eventual sinking of the airframe. While much of the aircraft was lost, certain components were recovered, and the cockpit is currently preserved at a museum in Doncaster.
Findings
- The occurrence of multiple engine fires and subsequent explosions led to the loss of structural integrity and hydraulic functionality.