NONE · BOEING 737-300 · 1989-03-17 · OAKLAND, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
DCA89MA034
Event ID
20001213X27868
Type
Accident
Date
1989-03-17
Location
OAKLAND, CA, USA
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
69
Total aboard
69
Aircraft
Make
BOEING
Model
737-300
Registration
N12318
FAR Part
121
Engines
2
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
IGNITION OF PUDDLED FUEL FROM A BLOCKED COMBUSTOR DRAIN LINE, AND A SLOW START DURING WHICH FUEL WAS MISTED AND BLOWN OUT THE TAIL PIPE. AN EXISTING TAILWIND AT THE GATE ALLOWED THE FUEL TO WET THE TAIL SURFACES AND BE IGNITED DURING THE APU START. THE OPERATOR CONFIRMED USING RTV MATERIAL IN THE APU BUILDUP PROCESS AT THEIR FACILITY.