CAC/IAANZ P68 explodes while undergoing maintenance - engineer badly burnt
 

ZK-NMK a P68 exploded into flames today just after 4pm (wed).
Final touches were being done on it after a double engine change and overhaul when the accident occurred. I had just finished flying when there was a loud explosion and smoke started billowing out the front of the hangar. Three engineers had been working on it and one of them has been badly burnt and is in Christchurch hospital. Airport crash/fire managed to get over to the club in time before the hangar itself caught fire. Other aircraft in the hangar including the cub were pulled out undamaged.
We were later moved out of the complex as a precaution for fear that an LPG cylinder near the aircraft could ignite. I will post more details as they come to hand, however my thoughts at the moment are with the engineer; may he make a full and speedy recovery.

I'd like to know what caused that explosion. Aircraft undergoing maintenance don't usually have a habit of spontaneously exploding....

Seems that a spark some how caused the tank in the starboard win to ignite. How and why no one knows at this stage, it just seems like a freak accident. It was only a couple of hours away from being released as seviceable, but its fair to say it might not ever make it back into the air now - the heat from it was pretty intense so who knows what thats done to the spars etc. Debris from the explosion made it from the workshop to the front of the hangar so it went off with an almighty bang. The photo in todays papers is totally misleading as its taken of the no1 workshop from the carpark; the otherside of the complex from where it happened - i imagine the Press wasnt allowed onto the apron to take a proper one of the scene. OSH and the police were doing an investigation of the scene today.
The engineer is still in a serious condition and is on life support in Christchurch hospital

Shows the importance of bonding the A/C when messing round with hot engines and fuel lines I guess.

Lets just hope the gingerbeer is ok... Even if he is a kiwi :ok:

Just caught up with this incident, trust the engineer has now made a good recovery. And glad to hear that the Super Cub was undamaged. If that was ZK-BNL, she is in my log book from the late 60's. This aircraft must have icon status by now!

Ndegi - I'm intrigued, have you been in East Africa?

Kind regards,

TheNightOwl.