After an American Airlines aircraft erupted into flames upon landing in Denver last March, investigators found a fuel leak and multiple wrongly installed components within the engine, as disclosed in a report on Thursday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighted that a particular component of the right engine of the Boeing 737-800 was not only loose but also installed incorrectly, and fuel leakage occurred at another component due to inappropriate fastening.
Although these preliminary observations are revealing, the NTSB has not yet identified the fire’s root cause, with a comprehensive investigation anticipated to conclude sometime next year. Jeff Guzzetti, who formerly investigated for both the NTSB and FAA, indicated that these identified maintenance issues likely resulted in the fuel leaking and catching fire.
“Improper maintenance on the right engine appears to have led to a fuel leak,” Guzzetti noted after analyzing the NTSB findings. Onlookers shared photos and videos online showcasing dense smoke and passengers positioned on the aircraft’s wing shortly after the plane taxied to a gate at Denver International Airport. Fortunately, although twelve individuals required hospitalization, their injuries were minor.
The plane, carrying 172 travelers and six crew members, had its blaze extinguished on-site by gate personnel within a minute, even before the firefighters arrived and addressed remaining hot spots on the aircraft. American Airlines emphasized in a statement, “The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we are cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation.”
Images within the NTSB report showcase streaks caused by the leaking fuel outside the engine, while airport surveillance captured footage of fluid seeping from beneath the right engine during its taxi to the gate. Guzzetti presumes these streaks formed during the flight, leading to a pool of fuel in the engine that ignited post-landing.
The American Airlines flight, originating from Colorado Springs and destined for Dallas-Fort Worth, had diverted to Denver on March 13 due to high engine vibrations reported by the crew. The right engine flared up after reaching the gate. As the plane stopped at the gate, passengers shouted “fire” and “smoke,” with flight attendants noticing smoke permeating the cabin, as per the NTSB report.
Efforts by flight attendants to reach the cockpit crew initially failed, prompting them to begin evacuation procedures. Passengers disembarked using the jetway at the front left door, the escape slide at the right rear door, and the left over-wing exits. However, the left rear door failed to open as the escape slide was jammed—a defect later sent for further examination by the manufacturer.
Amidst recent instances of aviation accidents and near misses worldwide, public apprehension over air travel has risen despite the ongoing safety of flying as a mode of transportation.