What happened
During the takeoff roll from runway 28R at London-Heathery Airport, an aircraft began its ascent toward a target altitude of 1,000 feet when the number four engine experienced a failure and ignited. In response to the developing fire, the crew declared an emergency situation. Air traffic control authorized the flight to perform an emergency landing back on the same runway used for departure.
During the return to the airfield, the crew encountered difficulties attempting to feather the propeller of the malfunctioning engine. Despite following a standard approach procedure, the aircraft came to a halt several hundred yards down the runway while engulfed in flames. All 42 occupants were successfully evacuated from the plane without any fatalities or injuries. While emergency responders managed to extinguish the blaze, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
Investigations into the incident focused on the engine failure and the subsequent drag produced by the propeller. It was noted that the crew could not successfully feather the windmilling propeller. The primary factor identified was a failure of a fuel line situated near the fourth engine, which allowed fuel to leak and ignite upon contact with hot engine components.