Accident · 1989-03-17

NTSB case DCA89MA034 · BOEING 737-300 · Part 121

What the record says

Event date: 1989-03-17
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: No injuries
Aircraft: BOEING 737-300 (N12318)
Operating rule: Part 121
Operator: operator not named in the NTSB record

Probable cause

IGNITION OF PUDDLED FUEL FROM A BLOCKED COMBUSTOR DRAIN LINE, AND A SLOW START DURING WHICH FUEL WAS MISTED AND BLOWN OUT THE TAIL PIPE. AN EXISTING TAILWIND AT THE GATE ALLOWED THE FUEL TO WET THE TAIL SURFACES AND BE IGNITED DURING THE APU START. THE OPERATOR CONFIRMED USING RTV MATERIAL IN THE APU BUILDUP PROCESS AT THEIR FACILITY.

Source: NTSB case DCA89MA034

Flight crew

Flight-crew details for this event aren't in the NTSB database extract we hold (its coverage starts with 2008 events) — a gap in our data, not an absence of crew.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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