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NTSB Report
June 1, 1987 · Boeing 727-264 · XAFIE
Los Angeles, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 1987
Injury Outcomes
11 injuries (2 serious injuries, 9 minor injuries), 142 uninjured
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 727-264
Tail Number
XAFIE
Operator
Mexicana Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX87FA219
THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON RWY 25 LEFT AND WAS HOLDING SHORT OF 25 RIGHT FOR A CROSSING CLEARANCE WHEN THE FLIGHT ENGINEER STARTED THE APU. PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE AREA BETWEEN ROWS 20 AND 22 ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CABIN OBSERVED A 'BRIGHT' YELLOW BLOSSOMING GLOW' EMANATE FROM THE APU DISCHARGE DUCT AND ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED THIS TO BE A FIRE IN THE RIGHT WING. SEVERAL PASSENGERS SHOUTED 'FIRE,' AND, TWO PASSENGERS RUSHED TO THE 19 LEFT OVER WING EMERGENCY EXIT, OPENED IT AND DOVE OUT ONTO THE WING. OTHER PASSENGERS FOLLOWED THE FIRST TWO OUT ONTO THE WING. THE PANIC SPREAD TO THE FORWARD AND AFT AREAS OF THE CABIN AND THE PASSENGERS BEGAN RUSHING TOWARD THE DOORS. THE CREW HEARD THE SHOUTS OF FIRE AND SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED THE AIRCRAFT AND ORDERED AN EVACUATION.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON RWY 25 LEFT AND WAS HOLDING SHORT OF 25 RIGHT FOR A CROSSING CLEARANCE WHEN THE FLIGHT ENGINEER STARTED THE APU. PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE AREA BETWEEN ROWS 20 AND 22 ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CABIN OBSERVED A 'BRIGHT' YELLOW BLOSSOMING GLOW' EMANATE FROM THE APU DISCHARGE DUCT AND ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED THIS TO BE A FIRE IN THE RIGHT WING. SEVERAL PASSENGERS SHOUTED 'FIRE,' AND, TWO PASSENGERS RUSHED TO THE 19 LEFT OVER WING EMERGENCY EXIT, OPENED IT AND DOVE OUT ONTO THE WING. OTHER PASSENGERS FOLLOWED THE FIRST TWO OUT ONTO THE WING. THE PANIC SPREAD TO THE FORWARD AND AFT AREAS OF THE CABIN AND THE PASSENGERS BEGAN RUSHING TOWARD THE DOORS. THE CREW HEARD THE SHOUTS OF FIRE AND SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED THE AIRCRAFT AND ORDERED AN EVACUATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:31 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles Intl (0nm N)
Runway25L
Runway Length11096 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-264
Tail NumberXAFIE
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorMexicana Airlines
Operating RulePart 129
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-17R · Turbofan · 17400
Seats165
People & Injuries
Injury Summary11 injuries (2 serious injuries, 9 minor injuries), 142 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor9
Uninjured142
Total153
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:50
Weather SourceWFAC