What happened
On 9 July 2005, a DH89A Dragon Rapide, registration G-AIYR, was conducting a series of short passenger flights at Duxford Aerodrome, Cambridgeshire. Following the completion of one flight, the aircraft's engines were shut down to allow passengers to disembark and a new group to board. During the subsequent start-up sequence, the pilot had the port engine running while attempting to start the starboard engine. No fuel priming had been performed on either engine prior to this attempt.
During the start-up of the starboard engine, flames were observed emerging from the leading edge of the lower wing, outboard of the engine. An eyewitness noted a long flame projecting from the starboard engine's exhaust. This flame ignited the rear fabric covering on the underside of the lower starboard wing, causing a burn approximately 3.3 metres in span. The pilot immediately shut down both engines and evacuated all 8 passengers and the crew. No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished with the help of ground staff.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation included an examination of the aircraft's engineering history and the physical site of the incident. An engineer from the operator performed a detailed inspection of the wing structure and found no evidence that the fire had started from within the wing itself. A nearby taxiway edge storm drain, located within one metre of the ignition point, was also inspected; no traces of flammable liquids or gases were found within the drain.
Further examination of the starboard engine, including test runs and subsequent flight tests, revealed no leaks of fuel or oil. No adjustments to the engine systems were required following these tests.
Findings
- The fire originated from a flame emanating from the engine's exhaust.
- A flame from the engine exhaust ignited the fabric wing covering.
- There was no evidence of flammable substances in the nearby storm drain.
- The aircraft was already equipped with engine modifications intended to prevent start-up fires, as recommended by the manufacturer's historical technical bulletins.