BA aircraft catches fire in US!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Europe
BA aircraft catches fire in US!
I just heard on the radio that a BA aircraft caught fire while being refuled. Passengers were on board but all got off uninjured. One of the ground crew suffered burns but there was no indication of how bad.
Apparently the wings were scorched!
Does anybody else have any further details?
Edited for spelling
[ 06 September 2001: Message edited by: Vortex what? ]
Apparently the wings were scorched!
Does anybody else have any further details?
Edited for spelling
[ 06 September 2001: Message edited by: Vortex what? ]
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17
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From: UK
The ground worker has died - no other injuries.
Pretty good initial coverage here:-
Denver BA B777 Fire
Pretty good initial coverage here:-
Denver BA B777 Fire
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 77
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From: Saudi Vegas
I think it depends on company procedures, at my company fueling while loading pax ok with steps on aft and doors armed but certainly a no-no whilst disembarking.
On BBC teletext it says pax were disembarking.
It's a toughy, the crew have no control of what a fueler does when they just pull on stand and the engineer might not have even reached the a/c at that stage !
On BBC teletext it says pax were disembarking.
It's a toughy, the crew have no control of what a fueler does when they just pull on stand and the engineer might not have even reached the a/c at that stage !
Joined: Jun 1996
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Check with Ops
Engine Failure,
It's not against the rules, although each company will have its laid down procedures for carrying out refuelling with pax on board.
Near Enuff,
Refuelling whilst disembarking is not a 'no-no'. Certainly in BA it is permitted and both flight crew and cabin crew are, according to Flying Crew Orders, to be aware that it may be happening even without having first spoken to the refuellers ie they might be putting on an 'initial' so many tonnes before getting the final figures.
According to the Company, the ignition source is not known but it seems the fuel hose disengaged from the aircraft, spilt a load of fuel on the ground and it is this which caught fire and scorched the aircraft.
Pontius
It's not against the rules, although each company will have its laid down procedures for carrying out refuelling with pax on board.
Near Enuff,
Refuelling whilst disembarking is not a 'no-no'. Certainly in BA it is permitted and both flight crew and cabin crew are, according to Flying Crew Orders, to be aware that it may be happening even without having first spoken to the refuellers ie they might be putting on an 'initial' so many tonnes before getting the final figures.
According to the Company, the ignition source is not known but it seems the fuel hose disengaged from the aircraft, spilt a load of fuel on the ground and it is this which caught fire and scorched the aircraft.
Pontius
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Wherever I lay my hat....
Very bad news about the fatality. RIP.
Fuelling with pax on board tends more often than not to be a local airport ruling rather than an airline restriction - although airlines do naturally all have their own rules.
Many airports (e.g. in France) insist on having a fire vehicle standing by during the process.
TA
Fuelling with pax on board tends more often than not to be a local airport ruling rather than an airline restriction - although airlines do naturally all have their own rules.
Many airports (e.g. in France) insist on having a fire vehicle standing by during the process.
TA
SkyGod
Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,624
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From: Palm Coast, Florida, USA
The same happened to a Tower Air B-747 Freighter in MIA a few years ago:
The ignition source was the fuel truck, it had a faulty exhaust "shield" if memory serves me right.
The repair bill was around $20 million.
The ignition source was the fuel truck, it had a faulty exhaust "shield" if memory serves me right.
The repair bill was around $20 million.
Joined: Mar 1999
Aviation Qualifications: AME
Posts: 196
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From: Zurich
Hi all
seems that the Aircraft section of the refuelling pipe broke off. This is of a reduced skin thickness at one point to cause minimum damage if the bowser should move while still attached. Under (ab)normal circumstances there is a emergency shut off valve on the fuelling truck which instantly closes off the fuel. It looks like the truck part didnt workcausing fuel to be sprayd around.
That is only a rumour and the rest is just conjecture.
Perhaps the fuel went over the hot part of the engine or the hose hit the ground and caused a spark.
Either way I feel very sad for the familly of the ramp worker and send my condolences.
This could have so easily been me or a colleague as Engineers still refuel in lots of places on the network.
Please forgive my grammar and spelling as it has been a long day.
love
LP
seems that the Aircraft section of the refuelling pipe broke off. This is of a reduced skin thickness at one point to cause minimum damage if the bowser should move while still attached. Under (ab)normal circumstances there is a emergency shut off valve on the fuelling truck which instantly closes off the fuel. It looks like the truck part didnt workcausing fuel to be sprayd around.
That is only a rumour and the rest is just conjecture.
Perhaps the fuel went over the hot part of the engine or the hose hit the ground and caused a spark.
Either way I feel very sad for the familly of the ramp worker and send my condolences.
This could have so easily been me or a colleague as Engineers still refuel in lots of places on the network.
Please forgive my grammar and spelling as it has been a long day.
love
LP
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 18
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From: South West England
As already mentioned, condolences to the family.
With regards to disembarking passengers while fuelling, on one of my cabin crew training courses, the point was raised that should the need to evacuate arise, at least the passengers are already heading in the right direction!
With regards to disembarking passengers while fuelling, on one of my cabin crew training courses, the point was raised that should the need to evacuate arise, at least the passengers are already heading in the right direction!
Couldonlyaffordafiver
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: The Twilight Zone near 30W
BA company procedures allow refuelling with pax onboard (except with wide-cut fuels). However, airport/national regulations take precedence, so that if the airport doesn't permit it, it doesn't happen (in theory).
Very sad to have lost a life, but it could have been much worse.
Not seen any pictures yet but have heard varying stories relating to the amount of damage.
Very sad to have lost a life, but it could have been much worse.
Not seen any pictures yet but have heard varying stories relating to the amount of damage.
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Wet Coast
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 75
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From: straight forward, there you go
According to JAR-OPS 1.something Refueling with AVGAS is FORBIDDDDDEN. But with JET-A1 it is allowed according to company procedures, which have been approved by the authority and pax NOT boarding or disembarking.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re the report on the link above...
"The man was using a re-fueling crane about fifty feet above a British Airways jet when the fuel line broke, spraying gas onto a hot engine which caught fire. He was blown off the crane and engulfed in flames."
Can anyone tell me what a "re-fueling crane" is??? If he was at "50 feet", it sounds like the refueller was pumping gas into the top of the fin???
Q.
"The man was using a re-fueling crane about fifty feet above a British Airways jet when the fuel line broke, spraying gas onto a hot engine which caught fire. He was blown off the crane and engulfed in flames."
Can anyone tell me what a "re-fueling crane" is??? If he was at "50 feet", it sounds like the refueller was pumping gas into the top of the fin???
Q.