Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 25 March 2008
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-357
Owner/operator: Saudi Arabian Airlines, lsf Air Atlanta Icelandic
Registration Number: TF-ARS
Location: Dhaka-Zia International Airport (DAC) – ÿ Bangladesh
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 325
Component Affected: Flexible half coupling at the front spar of engine No. 3Flexible half coupling at the front spar of engine No. 3
Investigating Agency: RNFRNF
Category: Accident
A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747-300 experienced a fire at the right wing area during landing roll, triggering an immediate emergency response. The crew immediately initiated fire suppression and evacuation procedures, leading to a significant incident. Initial communication and actions by the flight crew were crucial in mitigating the situation and ensuring passenger safety. The incident highlighted a critical mechanical failure ? incorrect assembly of the flexible half coupling at the front spar of engine No. 3 ? which contributed to the fire, and a lack of a retaining ring, resulting in a potential misalignment that exacerbated the issue.A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747-300 experienced a fire at the right wing area during landing roll, triggering an immediate emergency response. The crew immediately initiated fire suppression and evacuation procedures, leading to a significant incident. Initial communication and actions by the flight crew were crucial in mitigating the situation and ensuring passenger safety. The incident highlighted a critical mechanical failure ? incorrect assembly of the flexible half coupling at the front spar of engine No. 3 ? which contributed to the fire, and a lack of a retaining ring, resulting in a potential misalignment that exacerbated the issue.

Description

Saudi Arabian Airlines flight 810, a Boeing 747-300, was a scheduled flight from Madinah (Saudi Arabia) to Dhaka (Bangladesh). The flight from Madinah and the landing at Dhaka was uneventful. During the landing roll, approximately 50 seconds after touchdown, the flight crew received a call from the tower controller where the tower controller inquired whether the aircraft was under control. The flight crew responded to the call by stating that the aircraft was completely under control and asked what the problem seemed to be. The controller then informed the flight crew that fire was observed at the right wing area. At this point the Aerodrome Fire Operator had already activated the fire fighters as well as the rescue team. As soon as the controller had informed the flight crew about the fire, the flight crew received a No. 3 engine fire alarm. The co-pilot immediately discharged the first engine fire bottle and the flight crew requested fire fighter assistance and shut down all engines. The co-pilot waited 20 seconds until the second fire bottle was discharged. At this time the commander called the senior cabin attendant to the flight deck using the public address system (PA). This command was followed by a command to the cabin crew to remain seated. The commander informed the senior cabin attendant of the situation and instructed him to evaluate the situation and to evacuate the passengers if necessary. The senior cabin attendant went back down to the main deck and saw the smoke and the fire through the windows. He then commanded the cabin crew as well as passengers, by using a megaphone, to evacuate the aircraft. The cabin attendant at location L2 had already operated the emergency exit and started evacuating the passengers. Cabin attendants at locations L1 and R2 also operated their respective emergency exits. After realizing that smoke and fire were at the right hand side, the emergency exit at R2 was blocked by one of the cabin attendants. All passengers managed to evacuate without serious injuries and the fire department at Zia International Airport managed to extinguish the fire successfully. The damage to the aircraft was later evaluated as beyond economical repair. Findings as to causes and contributing factors – Incorrect assembly of the flexible half coupling at the front spar of engine No. 3. – Retaining ring missing in flexible half coupling at the front spar engine No. 3. – Lock wire fastened in such a way that the coupling nut might rotate slightly.

Source of Information

http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/B743,_Dhaka_Bangladesh,_2008_(FIRE_AW_HF)http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/B743,_Dhaka_Bangladesh,_2008_(FIRE_AW_HF)

Primary Cause

Incorrect assembly of the flexible half coupling at the front spar of engine No. 3.Incorrect assembly of the flexible half coupling at the front spar of engine No. 3.

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