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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 3, 1990 · Dassault DA20F · N457F

Chamblee, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chamblee, GA
Aircraft
Dassault DA20F
Tail Number
N457F
Operator
Southern Company Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ATL90IA154

During landing the pilot was unable to deploy the right thrust reverser. After clearing the runway, he again attempted to deploy the reverser several times. On the last attempt, the engine accessories fell off line, and a fire was reported in the tailpipe. The pilot did not receive a warning in the cockpit, but was informed by the tower. The fire continued to burn until it was suppressed by CFR personnel. The engine examination disclosed that the fuel control unit was set below the prescribed engine speed. Additionally, No.3 and No.5 carbon seals showed evidence of engine oil bypass. The right engine oil reservoir was empty, and the fire was confined to the 6 o'clock position of the engine. The fuel control was installed prior to the flight departing Little Rock. Apparently, during the rigging process the idle speed was set too low, and when the pilot cycled the thrust reverser several times a pressure difference existed over the carbon seals which allowed engine oil to pass into the tailpipe area.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE RIGHT FUEL CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTIONED AND ALLOWED THE ENGINE SPEED TO DECREASE BELOW IDLE SPEED (45%) WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FIRE. FACTORS IN THE INCIDENT WERE: THE IMPROPER RIGGING OF THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT DURING INSTALLATION, AND THE FLIGHT CREW'S FAILURE TO MONITOR THE IDLE SPEED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DEPLOY THE RIGHT THRUST REVERSER.

Full Narrative

DURING LANDING THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO DEPLOY THE RIGHT THRUST REVERSER. AFTER CLEARING THE RUNWAY, HE AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO DEPLOY THE REVERSER SEVERAL TIMES. ON THE LAST ATTEMPT, THE ENGINE ACCESSORIES FELL OFF LINE, AND A FIRE WAS REPORTED IN THE TAILPIPE. THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WARNING IN THE COCKPIT, BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE TOWER. THE FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL IT WAS SUPPRESSED BY CFR PERSONNEL. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT WAS SET BELOW THE PRESCRIBED ENGINE SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, NO.3 AND NO.5 CARBON SEALS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF ENGINE OIL BYPASS. THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY, AND THE FIRE WAS CONFINED TO THE 6 O'CLOCK POSITION OF THE ENGINE. THE FUEL CONTROL WAS INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT DEPARTING LITTLE ROCK. APPARENTLY, DURING THE RIGGING PROCESS THE IDLE SPEED WAS SET TOO LOW, AND WHEN THE PILOT CYCLED THE THRUST REVERSER SEVERAL TIMES A PRESSURE DIFFERENCE EXISTED OVER THE CARBON SEALS WHICH ALLOWED ENGINE OIL TO PASS INTO THE TAILPIPE AREA.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:58 EDT
Nearest AirportPeachtree-Deklab (0nm N)
Runway20L
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDassault DA20F
Tail NumberN457F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorSouthern Company Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF700-2D2 · Turbofan · 4500
Seats11

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 6 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time16:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data