Executive summary
On 30 December 2006, a fire occurred in the left General Electric CF6-80C2 engine nacelle of a Boeing 767 aircraft as it taxied clear of the runway after landing at Auckland International Airport. The fire was promptly extinguished and the minor damage was confined within the nacelle.
The air traffic controller offered to have the aerodrome fire service check that the fire had been extinguished prior to the aircraft continuing to the terminal, but because of miscommunication, uncertainty about the severity of the situation and unfamiliarity with the aerodrome emergency plan, there was a 9-minute delay before the fire service arrived at the aircraft.
The fire was caused by a leak in the engine fuel manifold, which had been chafed by a manifold loop clamp that was missing some cushion material. Chafing was a known service issue that had been addressed by a service bulletin, but the bulletin instructions were found to be ineffective. The incident engine had been inspected 450 flight hours prior to the fire, and twice within the prescribed inspection interval, without any damaged clamps or chafing being found.
The engine manufacturer revised the service bulletin to require the replacement of all of the manifold loop clamps at each inspection.
The air traffic control provider and the Auckland Airport company clarified their emergency instructions to staff and amended their procedures for responding to flight crew requests for rescue fire assistance.
Safety recommendations were made to the Director of Civil Aviation regarding a direct communication link between aerodrome control towers and rescue fire service stations, and a programme of education on emergency communications.
Related Recommendations
Require operators of aerodromes that provide air traffic and rescue fire services to have a discrete communication system linking a fire station with the control tower, any other fire station on the aerodrome and the rescue and fire fighting vehicles.
Conduct a programme of education for aircraft operators, airport operators, and pilots to increase their familiarity with emergency communications and their understanding of the need for a prompt declaration if assistance was required, particularly if the actual status of the aircraft was in doubt.