Incident Overview
On March 1, 2005, at 0910 UTC, a Boeing 777-200ER registered AP-BGL was taxiing at Manchester Airport following an otherwise uneventful landing from Lahore, Pakistan. The aircraft, carrying 12 crew and 332 passengers, had stopped for refueling and catering before continuing to Toronto. As the aircraft moved on Taxiway J9, flames were observed around the left main landing gear wheels.
Response and Evacuation
The airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) was alerted after an aircraft on an adjacent taxiway reported the fire. The RFFS Watch Commander arrived within one minute and saw intense orange and white flames from the left main gear. Firefighters deployed hoses and applied water, but copious quantities of what appeared to be smoke were produced. Concerned the fire was worsening, the Watch Commander advised the commander to evacuate via the starboard side. The commander announced the evacuation, and cabin crew deployed slides from doors R1, R2, R3, and R4. Passengers evacuated, with some sustaining minor injuries. Medical teams at the airport treated 24 passengers for minor injuries, and five were taken to a local hospital; one suffered a spine fracture but discharged herself the same day. Several fire service personnel also sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined the fire originated in the No 10 wheel of the left main landing gear. It most likely resulted from the maintenance practice used when cleaning the wheel heat shields. These heat shields had been immersed in a flammable solvent, which allowed the ceramic fibre insulation material within to become contaminated. The fire occurred on the second landing after the wheel was fitted, when brake pack temperatures were likely higher than on the previous landing. The aircraft sustained slight damage to the fuselage skin near door 3R and heat damage to the No 10 tyre and hydraulic hoses on the left main gear.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The Boeing 777-200ER (year of manufacture 2004) was powered by two GE90 turbofan engines. The commander, aged 54, held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and had 13,000 total flying hours, including 600 on type. His recent flying experience included 176 hours in the last 90 days and 36 hours in the last 28 days.