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NTSB Report
August 12, 1990 · Boeing 727-224 · N69735
Belgrade, MT
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 12, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (157 uninjured)
Location
Belgrade, MT
Aircraft
Boeing 727-224
Tail Number
N69735
Operator
Continental Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
SEA90IA161
AT THE BEGINNING OF A FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE NUMBER 3 ENGINE. THE FLIGHT CREW PERFORMED THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND RETURNED FOR LANDING. AFTER LANDING, FIRE CREWS EXTINGUISHED THE STILL BURNING FIRE THAT WAS CONFINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE STARTER EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT FAILURE. THE STARTER CONTROL VALVE WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE MALFUNCTION OF THE STARTER CONTROL VALVE.
Full Narrative
AT THE BEGINNING OF A FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE NUMBER 3 ENGINE. THE FLIGHT CREW PERFORMED THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND RETURNED FOR LANDING. AFTER LANDING, FIRE CREWS EXTINGUISHED THE STILL BURNING FIRE THAT WAS CONFINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE STARTER EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT FAILURE. THE STARTER CONTROL VALVE WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time09:08 MDT
Nearest AirportGallatin Fld (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length4002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-224
Tail NumberN69735
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorContinental Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-9A · Turbofan · 14500
Seats158
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (157 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured157
Total157
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC