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Old 20th Aug 2004, 12:38
  #17 (permalink)  
nobullshit
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Italy
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Looks like the fire originated from a return high pressure flexible pipe. Apparently it was installed by Delta (they overhauled the engine) in the wrong way, allowing it to torque. The problem was not visible, as there was a plastic sleeve covering the pipe.
It started leaking during taxi, and lots of fuel collected in the lower part of the cowling. At T/O power, and the extremely high pressure associated, the pipe sprayed serious quantities of fuel around te cowling. Te fuel, now nebulized, ignited and exploded. This happened, like in everybody's worst nightmare, at V1. Handling pilot was the F/O, with very few hours on his back. Capt. decided to continue, aware of the 186800 kgs following him. Engine still gave thrust, gear was raised immediately, ENG FIRE recall items at 400' but fire still there. After both bottles emptied fire would not go out. Capt took control, decided to do a 90/270 to get back to Rwy 34L, so the fire would be downwind from the plane. Kept flaps 5, finished QRH, talked to passengers, advised crew of likely evacuation when on ground because of a right engine fire and possible gear fire. Landed from a visual, flaps 20, single engine, Vref 179 Kts, 186 tons, pax screaming their heads off. Smooth touch down, max braking, one reverser actuated, stopped just after the intersection with 07/25.
When stopped, fire indication still on. Evacuated the 273 pax in 80 seconds, not a single broken leg. Capt. left the plane via the rear left door as advertised. Firefighters put out the fire, still working its way thru hydraulics, electrics and oil. Total time in the air just over 4 mins, max altitude reached 1400'.
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