Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 11 April 1968
Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-100 Hercules
Owner/operator: Zambian Air Cargoes
Registration Number: 9J-RBX
Location: Ndola Airport (NLA) – ÿ Zambia
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Component Affected: No visible components were identified.No visible components were identified.
Category: Other
A Lockheed L-100 Hercules aircraft, registration 9J-RCY, experienced a catastrophic fire during a cargo flight from Cambridge to Lusaka. Initial overheating of the second nacelle triggered a fire shutdown, which was subsequently overridden. Despite no visible fire, the aircraft continued flight and landing, subsequently impacting another Zambian Air Cargoes Hercules (9J-RBX) with a significant damage event.A Lockheed L-100 Hercules aircraft, registration 9J-RCY, experienced a catastrophic fire during a cargo flight from Cambridge to Lusaka. Initial overheating of the second nacelle triggered a fire shutdown, which was subsequently overridden. Despite no visible fire, the aircraft continued flight and landing, subsequently impacting another Zambian Air Cargoes Hercules (9J-RBX) with a significant damage event.

Description

A Lockheed L-100 Hercules of Zambian Air Cargoes, registration 9J-RCY, had completed a cargo flight from Cambridge (UK) to Lusaka via Benina and Entebbe and was being ferried back to its Ndola base in Zambia. During reverser checks prior to takeoff from Lusaka the no. 2 nacelle overheat light came on. The fire shut-off handle was pulled and the warning light went out. As there were no visible signs of a fire, the crew restarted the engine. The flight and landing were uneventful and the no. 1 and 4 engines were shut down when taxiing to the ramp. Entering the parking area, the no. 2 nacelle overheat light illuminated again. The no. 2 engine was shut off and the crew made some turns to park the aircraft next to another Zambian Air Cargoes Hercules (9J-RBX). In the final turn steering and brake pressure became exhausted and the aircraft struck the port wing of 9J-RBX, cutting through some 12 feet of the wing. A fire broke out and destroyed both aircraft.

Primary Cause

Nacelle overheat triggered by a fire shutdown, leading to an uncontrolled fire and subsequent impact.Nacelle overheat triggered by a fire shutdown, leading to an uncontrolled fire and subsequent impact.

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