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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

July 6, 1988 · Boeing 737-130 · N409PE

Indianapolis, IN

Overview

Report Status

Probable Cause

Event Type

Incident

Date

July 6, 1988

Injury Outcomes

No injuries (36 uninjured)

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Aircraft

Boeing 737-130

Tail Number

N409PE

Injuries

None

NTSB Number

CHI88IA159

SCHEDULED AIR CARRIER EXPERIENCED APU FIRE WARNING WHEN APU START WAS ATTEMPTED DURING APPROACH DESCENT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT EGT TEMPERATURE PROBE WIRING HARNESS WAS PINCHED BETWEEN FIRE SEAL AND LOWER APU SHROUD. FIRE SEAL COMPROMISE ALLOWED POOLED FUEL TO ENTER LOWER APU AREA AND CAUSE LOCALIZED FIRE ON DELAYED IGNITION.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE TO ENSURE PROPER ALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE OF THE AUXILLARY POWER UNIT LOWER SHROUD WITH THE FIRE SEAL UPON COMPLETION OF A MAINTENANCE ACTION.

Full Narrative

SCHEDULED AIR CARRIER EXPERIENCED APU FIRE WARNING WHEN APU START WAS ATTEMPTED DURING APPROACH DESCENT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT EGT TEMPERATURE PROBE WIRING HARNESS WAS PINCHED BETWEEN FIRE SEAL AND LOWER APU SHROUD. FIRE SEAL COMPROMISE ALLOWED POOLED FUEL TO ENTER LOWER APU AREA AND CAUSE LOCALIZED FIRE ON DELAYED IGNITION.

Flight

Event TypeIncident

Event Time19:25 EDT

Nearest AirportIndianapolis Int'L (0nm N)

Runway22R

Runway Length10005 ft

Runway Width150 ft

Flight Plan FiledIFR

Aircraft FireIflt

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-130

Tail NumberN409PE

Aircraft CategoryAir

Operating RulePart 121

Engines2

Engine TypeTurbofan

Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-17 · Turbofan · 14500

Seats100

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (36 uninjured)

Fatal0

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured36

Total36

Crew 1First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

Wind220° @ 4 kt

Visibility5 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point70 F

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Observation Time00:00

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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July 6, 1988 · Boeing 737-130 · N409PE

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Full Narrative