Narrative:
A Saab 340A, N742BA, operated by Business Express Airlines as Flight 426, was substantially damaged by a wing fire, while standing with engines running at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Pennsylvania. The airline transport captain, first officer, flight attendant, and 28 passengers were not injured.
According to statements provided by the captain, the engine start and taxi to runway 9L were normal. The taxi was accomplished with the left engine propeller feathered, and both air conditioners powered by the left engine bleed air. The airplane was number three in line for takeoff, and was stopped on taxiway Kilo.
While stopped, the right stall fail caution light illuminated, followed by the tail pipe hot light, 5 to 6 seconds later. The flight attendant confirmed a fire near the left engine.
The captain and first officer (FO) shut down both engines; however, the FO was not able to activate the left engine fire bottle, due to safety wire on the switch. The right engine fire bottle was then directed to the left engine.
Airport emergency equipment responded and extinguished the fire. The crew and passengers evacuated the airplane through the right forward emergency exit window without injury.
Examination of the airplane revealed that a fire had occurred aft of the left engine nacelle, between the wing and flap panel. The fire had propagated inboard about 4 feet, between the trailing edge of the wing and the flap panel. Fire damage included the aft wing spar, flap panel, upper trailing edge of the wing, two wiring bundles, and the hydraulic flap and brake lines. The wires for the Tail Pipe Hot warning light were a part of one of the burned wiring bundles.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of a titanium hydraulic line, which resulted in an uncontained hydraulic fluid wing fire. A factor was the use of a procedure by the operator, approved by the FAA, but not approved by the airplane manufacturer, which resulted in compartment temperatures reaching 204 degrees C, where the failed line sprayed the hydraulic fluid."
Damaged on the ground
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 17 August 1995 |
| Time: | 18:27 |
| Type: |  Saab 340A |
| Operator: | Business Express Airlines |
| Registration: | N742BA |
| MSN: | 340A-092 |
| First flight: | |
| Total airframe hrs: | 16806 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 28 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 31 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Standing (STD) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL/KPHL), United States of America |
| New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY (JFK/KJFK), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 426 |
A Saab 340A, N742BA, operated by Business Express Airlines as Flight 426, was substantially damaged by a wing fire, while standing with engines running at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Pennsylvania. The airline transport captain, first officer, flight attendant, and 28 passengers were not injured.
According to statements provided by the captain, the engine start and taxi to runway 9L were normal. The taxi was accomplished with the left engine propeller feathered, and both air conditioners powered by the left engine bleed air. The airplane was number three in line for takeoff, and was stopped on taxiway Kilo.
While stopped, the right stall fail caution light illuminated, followed by the tail pipe hot light, 5 to 6 seconds later. The flight attendant confirmed a fire near the left engine.
The captain and first officer (FO) shut down both engines; however, the FO was not able to activate the left engine fire bottle, due to safety wire on the switch. The right engine fire bottle was then directed to the left engine.
Airport emergency equipment responded and extinguished the fire. The crew and passengers evacuated the airplane through the right forward emergency exit window without injury.
Examination of the airplane revealed that a fire had occurred aft of the left engine nacelle, between the wing and flap panel. The fire had propagated inboard about 4 feet, between the trailing edge of the wing and the flap panel. Fire damage included the aft wing spar, flap panel, upper trailing edge of the wing, two wiring bundles, and the hydraulic flap and brake lines. The wires for the Tail Pipe Hot warning light were a part of one of the burned wiring bundles.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of a titanium hydraulic line, which resulted in an uncontained hydraulic fluid wing fire. A factor was the use of a procedure by the operator, approved by the FAA, but not approved by the airplane manufacturer, which resulted in compartment temperatures reaching 204 degrees C, where the failed line sprayed the hydraulic fluid."
Accident investigation:
 |
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Classification:
Hydraulic system problemDamaged on the ground
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Philadelphia International Airport, PA to New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY as the crow flies is 150 km (93 miles).
Distance from Philadelphia International Airport, PA to New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY as the crow flies is 150 km (93 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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