B748, vicinity Hong Kong China, 2021

B748, vicinity Hong Kong China, 2021

Summary

On 20 July 2021, a Boeing 747-8F experienced a series of problems with excessive engine speed and fire affecting the left outboard engine soon after takeoff from Hong Kong. Although the engine was shut down, the fire continued until just before landing. About twenty minutes after landing, trapped residual leaked fuel then auto-ignited, and that fire was quickly extinguished. The origin of the engine malfunction and continuing airborne fire was identified as improper installation of a component in the engine’s Fuel Metering Unit at build, which caused a fuel leak that was the sole origin of the engine malfunction.

Description

On 20 July 2021, a Boeing 747-8F (N624UP) being operated by UPS on an international cargo flight from Hong Kong to Dubai International as UPS3 received indications that the left outboard engine was uncontrollably overspeeding almost immediately after takeoff in day VMC. It was shut down, but the fuel-fed fire continued until just before touchdown. Although an initial airport RFFS inspection of the aircraft engine found no fire, around 20 minutes later, the engine involved caught fire again during water application intended to keep it cool. The engine pylon, both thrust reversers, the exhaust sleeve, and the exhaust cone were all heat damaged and deemed beyond economic repair.

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