Incident
Aircraft departed from runway 28R at London-Heathrow Airport. While climbing through 1,000 feet, engine number 4 failed and caught fire. The flight crew declared an emergency and received clearance for an immediate return to the same runway. For reasons not determined, the crew could not feather the propeller. The airplane executed a normal approach and landed, coming to a stop in flames after traveling several hundred yards.
Evacuation
All 42 occupants evacuated the aircraft quickly. No casualties were reported. The fire brigade extinguished the flames, but the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The exact cause of the failure of engine 4 could not be determined. The crew was unable to feather its propeller, which continued windmilling and created drag. Additionally, a fuel line near engine 4 failed, and the released fuel ignited upon contact with high-temperature engine components.