Incident
During a cargo flight, the crew informed air traffic control (ATC) about a fire in the cabin. They decided to divert to Castle Air Force Base (AFB) for an emergency landing.
The Emergency
While descending toward Castle AFB, the fire spread to the cargo compartment. The captain ultimately chose to perform an emergency landing in an open field. The aircraft touched down on its belly a few miles from the airbase and came to rest engulfed in flames.
Outcome
Both crew members evacuated without injury. The aircraft, however, was completely destroyed by the fire.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that fuel leaking from the auxiliary power unit (APU) ignited in flight. This ignited fire spread to cargo that had been stacked around the APU. Inadequate maintenance and inspection on the part of the company were cited as contributing factors.