Engine fire during shutdown procedures on Airbus A319 in Cajamarca

Casualties unknown • PE

An Airbus A319 experienced engine fires and a failure to shut down engines following a communications malfunction after landing in Cajamarca, Peru.

What happened

On June 7, 2015, an Airbus A319-132, registration CC-CQK, operated by LAN Perú S.A., arrived at the General FAP “Armando Revoredo Iglesias” Airport in Cajamarca, Peru. The aircraft was performing a commercial flight from Lima with 96 passengers and 6 crew members on board. Prior to departure from Lima, the aircraft had taken off with generator No. 1 inoperative, a condition permitted under the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) provided that the No. 2 engine generator and the APU remained operational.

Following a normal flight, the crew remained on the ground with the engines running to perform verification procedures regarding the APU generator's power supply to the electrical system. During this process, a communications failure occurred, and aircraft computer information ceased updating. In response, the pilot attempted to shut down the engines; however, the engines failed to stop. During this sequence, fuel appeared to have accumulated in the combustion chamber, leading to an ignition that caused a flash fire in both engines, with the No. 1 engine experiencing more significant fire. The pilot ordered an evacuation via the two left-side slides. The evacuation resulted in 07 passengers sustaining minor injuries, while the rest of the occupants were unharmed.

The investigation

The CIAA initiated a field investigation immediately following the event, coordinating with the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) as the state of design and manufacture. Investigators examined the damage to the ignition and fuel cutoff systems, which were identified as the components involved in the fire incident. The investigation into the technical cause of the engine shutdown failure and the subsequent fire is ongoing.

Probable cause

The preliminary investigation indicates that an accumulation of fuel in the combustion chamber, likely caused by a failure in the engine shutdown process or a malfunction in the ignition and fuel cutoff systems, led to an engine fire.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-06-07 aircraft accident near PE?

An Airbus A319 experienced engine fires and a failure to shut down engines following a communications malfunction after landing in Cajamarca, Peru.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-06-07 involved a aircraft, registration CC-CQK, at PE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The preliminary investigation indicates that an accumulation of fuel in the combustion chamber, likely caused by a failure in the engine shutdown process or a malfunction in the ignition and fuel cutoff systems, led to an engine fire.

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