NTSB: Maintenance errors a factor in American Airlines fire
The American Airlines fire at Denver International Airport earlier this year had parts wrongly installed and had fuel leaks.
These are part of the initial findings in the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report.
The plane took off for Dallas and immediately the pilots noticed issues with the right engine.
After returning to the airport it caught fire.
There were at least two parts that were fitted incorrectly, one of which caused a fuel leak.
“The captain noted high engine vibration indications for the right engine,” the report said.
Passengers had to evacuate the aircraft by walking along the wings.
The report found ‘the lockwire of a fuel fitting on the variable stator vane was loose and installed in the incorrect direction.’
Also, one engine fan blade platform was fractured, the report stated.
There were 172 passengers and six crew on board at the time of the incident.
A total of 18 people suffered only minor injuries, while the aircraft had ‘significant’ damage.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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