Aerospatiale ATR-72 N414WF

Summary

On 6 September 1995 at about 14:18 local time, a Aerospatiale ATR-72 registered N414WF, operated by Simmons Airlines, was involved in an incident near Chicago, Illinois, United States. 18 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 September 1995 at 14:18

Classification

Incident

Location

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Aerospatiale ATR-72

Registration

N414WF

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Simmons Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI95IA313

Nobody was injured.

improper installation of the #7 and #8 fuel nozzle manifold transfer tubes by company maintenance personnel, and an inadequate exhaust drain fitting gasket, which resulted in fuel leaks at the respective 'O' ring/gasket fittings; blockage of the fuel/oil drain manifold; and subsequent fire in the engine compartment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was on its first flight of the day after engine fuel system maintenance. While climbing through 7500 feet, the fire warning system activated. The flight crew extinguished the fire, secured the engine, and returned to the departure airport. Examination of the engine revealed that a fuel leak had occurred at the #7 and #8 fuel manifold nozzle transfer tubes. The fuel manifold transfer tube locking plates for the #7 and #8 nozzle assemblies were found improperly installed, and the respective 'O' rings were found to be cut and scratched. Also, the engine's overboard (fuel/oil) drain line was found to be about 99% blocked with a carbon-like material. Additionally, the engine's fuel manifold and turbine support case drain lines were noted to be positioned directly opposite each other within the drain manifold. The drain line's turbine support case fitting had an oversized and offset, crush gasket. The nacelle's interior had a flame discolored area directly below this fitting.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.