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NTSB Report
January 4, 1987 · Boeing 737-200 · N409PE
Newark, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 4, 1987
Injury Outcomes
10 injuries (10 minor injuries), 98 uninjured
Location
Newark, NJ
Aircraft
Boeing 737-200
Tail Number
N409PE
Operator
Continental Air
Injuries
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC87IA087
DURING DESCENT PRIOR TO THE APPROACH TO NEWARK, NJ THE B737 CREW ATTEMPTED TO START THE APU. THE APU FAILED TO START. DURING LNDG ROLL ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START THE APU RESULTED IN A FIRE WARNING LIGHT. THE FIRE BOTTLE WAS DISCHARGED BUT THE FIRE WARNING REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAPT ORDERED AN EVACUATION WHILE PARKED ON A TAXIWAY. SOME PASSENGERS EXITED THRU THE OVERWING EXIT ON THEIR OWN. SOME OF THESE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED GETTING OFF ON THE WING. INSPECTION OF THE APU REVEALED NO FIRE DAMAGE. POST ACC TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE UNIT HAD TURBINE BLADES BURNED AND ERODED, FUEL CONTROL CRACKING PRESSURE SET HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED, AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WIRES TO THE FUEL SOLENOID CONNECTOR WERE REVERSED.
Full Narrative
DURING DESCENT PRIOR TO THE APPROACH TO NEWARK, NJ THE B737 CREW ATTEMPTED TO START THE APU. THE APU FAILED TO START. DURING LNDG ROLL ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START THE APU RESULTED IN A FIRE WARNING LIGHT. THE FIRE BOTTLE WAS DISCHARGED BUT THE FIRE WARNING REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAPT ORDERED AN EVACUATION WHILE PARKED ON A TAXIWAY. SOME PASSENGERS EXITED THRU THE OVERWING EXIT ON THEIR OWN. SOME OF THESE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED GETTING OFF ON THE WING. INSPECTION OF THE APU REVEALED NO FIRE DAMAGE. POST ACC TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE UNIT HAD TURBINE BLADES BURNED AND ERODED, FUEL CONTROL CRACKING PRESSURE SET HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED, AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WIRES TO THE FUEL SOLENOID CONNECTOR WERE REVERSED.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time01:15 EST
Nearest AirportNEWARK (0nm N)
Runway4R
Runway Length9800 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVfif
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 737-200
Tail NumberN409PE
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorContinental Air
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-7B · Turbofan · 14500
Seats118
People & Injuries
Injury Summary10 injuries (10 minor injuries), 98 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor10
Uninjured98
Total108
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT