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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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October 26, 1985 · Lockheed L-1011-385-1 L-1011-385 · N714DA

Dallas/Ft.Worth, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 26, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 225 uninjured
Location
Dallas/Ft.Worth, TX
Aircraft
Lockheed L-1011-385-1 L-1011-385
Tail Number
N714DA
Operator
Delta Airlines
Injuries
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW86IA020

NO. 3 ENG DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST STACK FIRE DURING THE SECOND ATTEMPTED START FOLLOWING TAXI OUT. THE 1ST START WAS ABORTED WHEN CREW BECAME AWARE OF A 15 MINUTE DELAY BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING THE 2ND START, EXCESS FUEL TORCHED IN THE COMBUSTORS AND THE EXHAUST STACK. NO EVACUATION WAS ORDERED BY RESPONSIBILE CREW MEMBERS, BUT PANICKED PASSENGERS FORCED A FLT ATTENDANT TO OPEN THE LEFT REAR EXIT AND THE SLIDE DEPLOYED. 15 PASSENGERS EVACED BEFORE ORDER COULD BE RESTORED. ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHEN A SECOND PASSENGER ROLLED OVER THE TOP OF HER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIDE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISED WITHIN 2 MINUTES BY CFR CREWS. INSP OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL ANY DAMAGE AND INSP OF ENG REVEALED NO DEFICIENCIES. SUSPECT EXCESSIVE START FUEL INTRODUCED INTO CUMBUSTORS DURING FIRST ABORTED START OR SECOND START.

Full Narrative

NO. 3 ENG DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST STACK FIRE DURING THE SECOND ATTEMPTED START FOLLOWING TAXI OUT. THE 1ST START WAS ABORTED WHEN CREW BECAME AWARE OF A 15 MINUTE DELAY BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING THE 2ND START, EXCESS FUEL TORCHED IN THE COMBUSTORS AND THE EXHAUST STACK. NO EVACUATION WAS ORDERED BY RESPONSIBILE CREW MEMBERS, BUT PANICKED PASSENGERS FORCED A FLT ATTENDANT TO OPEN THE LEFT REAR EXIT AND THE SLIDE DEPLOYED. 15 PASSENGERS EVACED BEFORE ORDER COULD BE RESTORED. ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHEN A SECOND PASSENGER ROLLED OVER THE TOP OF HER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIDE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISED WITHIN 2 MINUTES BY CFR CREWS. INSP OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL ANY DAMAGE AND INSP OF ENG REVEALED NO DEFICIENCIES. SUSPECT EXCESSIVE START FUEL INTRODUCED INTO CUMBUSTORS DURING FIRST ABORTED START OR SECOND START.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time19:41 CDT
Nearest AirportDfw Intl. Apt (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length11388 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLockheed L-1011-385-1 L-1011-385
Tail NumberN714DA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDelta Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · RB-211-22C-02 · Turbofan · 41030
Seats311

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 225 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured225
Total226
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data