Narrative:
British Airways flight 2019 landed on runway 16 at Denver International Airport at 16:56 and taxied to gate A37. The engines were shut down at 17:06, and the disembarking of passengers began. A refueling truck was the positioned under the airplane's left wing, facing aft, and outboard of the left engine. The refueler attached two hoses to the airplane refueling manifold system and started the fuel flow. During the process the inboard fuel hose suddenly separate from the airplane, flapping around and spraying fuel. The fuel mist then ignited, engulfing the area in flames. The fire trucks arrived within two minutes and immediately extinguished the fire. The refueler suffered fatal injuries.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The overstress fracture of the airplane's refueling adapter ring that resulted from the abnormal angular force applied to it. The applied angular force occurred due to the ground refueler inadequately positioning the hydrant fuel truck (in relation to the airplane), and his inattentiveness while lowering the refueling lift platform, thus permitting the refueling hose to become snagged and pulled at an angle. The fracture of the adapter ring during the refueling led to the ignition of the pressurized (mist producing) spilled fuel and subsequent fire."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 5 September 2001 |
| Time: | 17:14 MDT |
| Type: |  Boeing 777-236ER |
| Operator: | British Airways |
| Registration: | G-VIIK |
| MSN: | 28840/117 |
| First flight: | 1998 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 11221 |
| Cycles: | 2100 |
| Engines: | 2 General Electric GE90-85B |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 16 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 26 |
| Ground casualties: | Fatalities: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Denver International Airport, CO (DEN) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Standing (STD) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | London-Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK), United Kingdom |
| Denver International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 2019 |
British Airways flight 2019 landed on runway 16 at Denver International Airport at 16:56 and taxied to gate A37. The engines were shut down at 17:06, and the disembarking of passengers began. A refueling truck was the positioned under the airplane's left wing, facing aft, and outboard of the left engine. The refueler attached two hoses to the airplane refueling manifold system and started the fuel flow. During the process the inboard fuel hose suddenly separate from the airplane, flapping around and spraying fuel. The fuel mist then ignited, engulfing the area in flames. The fire trucks arrived within two minutes and immediately extinguished the fire. The refueler suffered fatal injuries.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The overstress fracture of the airplane's refueling adapter ring that resulted from the abnormal angular force applied to it. The applied angular force occurred due to the ground refueler inadequately positioning the hydrant fuel truck (in relation to the airplane), and his inattentiveness while lowering the refueling lift platform, thus permitting the refueling hose to become snagged and pulled at an angle. The fracture of the adapter ring during the refueling led to the ignition of the pressurized (mist producing) spilled fuel and subsequent fire."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Damaged 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 London-Gatwick Airport to Denver International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 7478 km (4674 miles).
Distance from London-Gatwick Airport to Denver International Airport, CO as the crow flies is 7478 km (4674 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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