B732, Manchester UK, 1985
B732, Manchester UK, 1985
Summary
On 22nd August 1985, a B737-200 being operated by British Airtours, a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways, suffered an uncontained engine failure, with consequent damage from ejected debris enabling the initiation of a fuel-fed fire which spread to the fuselage during the rejected take off and continued to be fuel-fed after the aircraft stopped, leading to rapid destruction of the aircraft before many of the occupants had evacuated.
Event Details
When
22/08/1985
Day/Night
Day
Flight Conditions
On Ground - Normal Visibility
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
No
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Take Off
Location
Location - Airport
Airport
General
Tag(s)
Inadequate Aircraft Operator Procedures,
Inadequate Airport Procedures,
Inadequate Airworthiness Procedures,
Ineffective Regulatory Oversight
FIRE
Tag(s)
Fire-Fuel origin,
Fire-Power Plant origin
EPR
Tag(s)
Emergency Evacuation,
“Emergency” declaration,
Slide Malfunction,
RFFS Procedures
CS
Tag(s)
Cabin furnishings fire,
Evacuation slides deployed,
Cabin air contamination,
Flight Crew Evacuation Command
AW
System(s)
Airframe,
Communications,
Equipment / Furnishings,
Fire Protection,
Emergency Evacuation
Contributor(s)
OEM Design fault,
Damage Tolerance,
Component Fault in service,
Corrosion/Disbonding/Fatigue
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Aircraft damage
Hull loss
Non-aircraft damage
Yes
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Occupant Injuries
Many occupants
Occupant Fatalities
Many occupants
Off Airport Landing
Yes
Ditching
Yes
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Technical
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Aircraft Airworthiness
Airport Management
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 22nd August 1985, a B737-200 operated by British Airtours, a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways, suffered an uncontained engine failure, with fire spreading to the fuselage during the rejected take off, causing rapid destruction of the aircraft before many of the occupants had evacuated.
Summary
About 30 seconds after the aircraft began its take-off roll, as the airspeed passed 125 kts, the left engine suffered an uncontained failure, which punctured a wing fuel tank access panel. Fuel leaking from the wing ignited and burnt as a large plume of fire trailing directly behind the engine. The crew heard a "thud" and, believing that they had suffered a burst tyre or bird strike, abandoned the take-off immediately, intending to clear the runway to the right. They had no indication of fire until 9 seconds later, when the left engine fire warning occurred. After an exchange with ATC, during which the fire was confirmed, the commander warned his crew of an evacuation from the right side of the aircraft, by making a broadcast on the cabin address system, and brought the aircraft to a halt.
The wind carried the fire onto and around the rear fuselage. After the aircraft was stopped, the hull was penetrated rapidly and smoke, possibly with some flame transients, entered the cabin through the aft rear door which was opened shortly before the aircraft came to a halt. Subsequently fire developed within the cabin. Despite prompt attendance of the airport fire service, the aircraft was destroyed and 55 persons on board lost their lives.
Related Articles
- Airworthiness
- Fire
- Uncontained Engine Failure
- Ignition of Fuels
- Engine Failure During Takeoff - Multi-Engine Transport Category Jet Aircraft
- Engine/APU on Fire: Guidance for Controllers
- Engine Fire Protection
- Operational Fires
- Rejected Take Off
- Emergency Evacuation on Land
Further Reading
For further information:
- see the full AAIB Report including Appendices: AAIB AAR 8/88
- see also FAA "Lessons Learned from Transport Airplane Accidents": British Airtours Flight KT28M, Boeing Model 737-236, G-BGJL
