Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 17 September 1987
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 82-0190
Location: Shreveport-Barksdale AFB, LA (BAD) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: The forward portion of the KC-10 aircraft, specifically the engine and fuel tank area.The forward portion of the KC-10 aircraft, specifically the engine and fuel tank area.
Category: Other
A KC-10 aircraft experienced a catastrophic explosion near the centre access compartment, resulting in complete destruction of the forward portion of the aircraft. Three ground crew members were present on board, and an explosion occurred approximately one hour after takeoff.A KC-10 aircraft experienced a catastrophic explosion near the centre access compartment, resulting in complete destruction of the forward portion of the aircraft. Three ground crew members were present on board, and an explosion occurred approximately one hour after takeoff.
Description
The KC-10 arrived at Barksdale AFB and all 17 crewmembers departed the plane. About one hour later, three ground crew members were on board; one in the cockpit, one in the left main gear wheel well and the other in the refuellers operating position at the rear of the plane. An explosion occurred. The source of the explosion was somewhere in or near the centre access compartment which is between the forward and centre wing fuel tanks. The KC-10 had 63000 lb of fuel on board; 15000 lb was in the forward tank. The centre and aft fuel tanks were empty; the remaining 48000 lb was in the wing tanks. The part of the aircraft, forward of the wings was burnt out completely.
Primary Cause
Explosion originating within or near the centre access compartment, likely caused by a malfunction or ignition source within that area.Explosion originating within or near the centre access compartment, likely caused by a malfunction or ignition source within that area.Share on:
