NTSB Links Atlas Air Boeing 747 Engine Fire to Improper Maintenance
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on an engine fire incident involving an Atlas Air Boeing 747. The report concludes that improper maintenance by a third-party contractor was the key cause of the fire, which occurred on January 18 during a flight from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Atlas Air Flight 3885 had just taken off when the crew received a fire warning for the aircraft’s No. 2 engine. The Boeing 747-8F was flying at around 3,000 feet when the alert occurred. The flight crew immediately declared an emergency and safely returned the aircraft to Miami International Airport. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the incident, and the aircraft was quickly evacuated after landing.
An inspection following the emergency landing found no signs of uncontained engine failure, which typically involves debris breaching the engine casing. However, there was minor burn damage to the engine’s thrust reverser fan duct. After a thorough inspection and repair process, the aircraft was cleared to return to service on January 27, nine days after the incident.
The NTSB’s investigation revealed that a maintenance issue was the root cause of the engine fire. Four days before the incident, the aircraft underwent routine maintenance, which included a borescope inspection of the No. 2 engine. A borescope inspection involves inserting a small camera into the engine to check for internal damage or wear. To perform this inspection, a plug on the engine must be removed and then properly reinstalled.
According to the NTSB’s findings, the third-party contractor responsible for the inspection failed to reinstall the borescope plug correctly. Despite this error, both the mechanic who performed the task and the inspector who oversaw the work signed off on the job, certifying that it had been completed according to the aircraft’s maintenance manual.
The investigation further revealed that the loose borescope plug was discovered inside the engine cowling after the fire. The improperly installed plug led to oil leakage, which then ignited, causing the fire in the No. 2 engine.
The NTSB’s report highlighted that even though the maintenance crew followed most of the prescribed procedures, the failure to properly secure the borescope plug created a hazardous situation. The board stressed the importance of adhering to maintenance protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident brings attention to the broader issue of maintenance oversight, particularly when third-party contractors are involved in aircraft servicing. Airlines often rely on external companies to handle certain maintenance tasks, especially for long-haul flights. In this case, the NTSB pointed out that stronger verification processes might have helped prevent the oversight that led to the engine fire.
While the Atlas Air 747-8F was able to return to service relatively quickly and no one was injured, the event serves as a reminder of the crucial role that proper maintenance plays in ensuring aircraft safety. The NTSB’s findings will likely lead to tighter regulations and scrutiny on maintenance procedures, especially those performed by third-party contractors.
Atlas Air has not publicly commented on the NTSB’s report but is expected to review its maintenance practices in light of the findings.
Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Atlas+Air
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, flyingmag.com