Wellington ATR 72 engine fire evacuation took nearly three times benchmark

An Air New Zealand ATR 72-600 with 74 people on board received an engine fire warning about 100ft above the ground while on final approach to Wellington on 1 September 2024, according to New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

The left-hand Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engine had failed after a low-pressure turbine blade broke, the commission said. After the turboprop landed and came to a stop on the runway, the pilots released fire suppressant. The warning light stayed on, and the captain ordered an evacuation.

Getting everyone out took 2min 51s, measured from the call to the last passenger leaving the cabin. That is close to triple the 90-second figure used during certification.

Investigators said many passengers did not treat the situation as urgent because they could not see a clear danger. More than half were seen carrying bags as they left, against instructions from the crew.

Of the 69 passengers in the cabin, 42 went out through the rear left stairs and 27 through the two forward doors. A right-hand service door was left unopened, and the crew could not account for that, the inquiry found. Passengers using the forward exits described them as difficult to negotiate.

The commission also said at least five people who left through the forward left exit put themselves at risk by walking towards the back of the aircraft, passing close to the engine that had been burning.

Air New Zealand said it has updated its emergency procedures and training in response to the event.