SAA 747SP - ENGINE FIRE - October, 98
Note: Although this did not happen on a 747-400, it is an interesting event that might happen on many types including a 744.
The good handling of the situation by the crew as well as their demonstration of CRM is some example that could benefit to all of us.
This preliminary report as well as the pictures were sent to me by a good friend of mine who is a Captain for KLM and who used to fly for SAA, Nationair Canada and Canada 3000. Special thanks to him for forwarding this story.
I'll show you the pictures first, the report follows.
Aircraft SAA B747SP P+W 7F engines.
#3 eng had <400 hours since overhaul.
Flight from Lisbon- Maputo-Johannesburg on behalf of LAM, Mozambique Airlines.
Capt. Paul X got on in MAP to fly the last sector with 95 pax on board, sector MAP-JNB.
After take-off at approx 5000 ft over the city #3 engine HP turbine lost a blade that
punctured the engine cowl top centre with resultant complete failure of #3 eng and partial
damage to #4 eng.
The force of the blade loss severed the main pylon structure in the center of the pylon
housing resulting in the eng being held in place by the most fwd 2 eng mounting
bolts and the most aft bolts.
The hole made by the blade exiting the cowl generated a blowtorch effect which caused
a fire to devastate the Leading Edge Devices as well as burn a crevice into the wing which
burnt all the way to the main spar.
Cockpit indications were severe yaw followed by the #3 T/Lever slapping back to the idle
posn. The explosion was felt thru the aircraft.
#3 Eng Start Lever immed set to cutoff, initially suspected a T/R problem as no Eng Fire
Warning had yet occured.
Eng Fire Warning Switch then pulled when fire warning bell and lights illuminated. Both
bottles were fired with the second showing no indication of having been fired.(The common
ducting for both halon bottles had already burnt away and enough engine cowling
dissapeared to ensure that the halon was not at all effective).
Deadheading crew onboard advised flying crew that there was a severe eng fire on #3.
With this info Capt=PF nosed over in a banking turn and aimed at the ground after having
cleaned up the flaps. Descended to Vmo using 1+2+4 eng and had an updated report that the
fire was now out.
With this and the turn completed back toward the airport indicated that he would land
immediately.
The deadheading FEO worked with the FEO to complete all ECLists and provide a Vref Speed.
The aircraft was pitched up to get to flap and gear speeds and eventually landed off a
stabilised short final approach. Short ldg made and a/c turned off rwy, to be met by
fire trucks etc.
No evacuation was effected as fire was reported as out by both air and ground crew.
Deserving of highest accolades?
Yes! That's how professional pilots/crew can justify their salaries!