Description

On 25 March 2008 a Boeing 747-300 being operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic under a wet lease to Saudi Arabian Airlines on a passenger flight from Medina, Saudia Arabia to Dhaka was on the daylight landing roll on runway 14 at destination in normal ground visibility when a fire broke out in the vicinity of the No 3 engine and pylon. The aircraft was stopped at the beginning of the taxiway at the end of the runway and, when the fire could not be extinguished by crew action, an emergency evacuation was initiated and all 325 occupants exited with an estimated 17 minor injuries incurred. Although the Rescue and Fire Fighting Services did eventually extinguish the fire, the airframe damage was such that the aircraft was declared to be beyond economic repair.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Icelandic AAIB. Fire damage was found to be confined to the No. 3 engine and pylon and the right wing but this damage was sufficient to preclude economic repair.

It was found that approximately 50 seconds after touchdown whilst the aircraft was still decelerating, the TWR had advised that fire could be seen in the area of the right wing. The RFFS had already been alerted and, as ATC advised seeing a fire, a flight deck fire warning for the No. 3 engine had been annunciated and the first fire bottle discharged. The warning continued and as the First Officer discharged the second fire bottle, the aircraft commander informed the senior cabin crew member of the situation and instructed him to “evaluate the situation and to evacuate the passengers if necessary”. Having investigated and observed smoke and the fire through the windows, he had used a megaphone to order an evacuation of all passengers and cabin crew.