Results of a Fuel Cell Penetration Fire During Takeoff Roll of a Commercial Jet Aircraft

Abstract

In the spring of 1984, a Boeing 737 experienced an engine failure during the takeoff roll, resulting in a high speed engine part puncturing the integral fuel tank between the engine and fuselage. Fuel pouring from the puncture ignited immediately. The takeoff was abort ed, and eventually all passengers escaped with minor injuries. However, the fire ultimate ly destroyed the aircraft. There was no disagreement about the origin of the fire; but, there was controversy about whether or not the aircraft would have been destroyed had the aircraft been brought to a stop immediately upon abort. As it was, the aircraft taxied off the runway to a narrow taxiway before stopping. This action delayed and complicated the tactics required of the fire brigades responding to the fire.

The analysis in this paper contrasts the degree of major aircraft structural damage that occurred in the actual fire to structural damage that would have been sustained if stan dard fire brigade firefighting tactics for aircraft fires had been possible. Results indicate that if the aircraft had been brought to an immediate stop, the aircraft could have been returned to service for less than 25% the cost spent to replace it.