NIM, vicinity Kandahar Afghanistan, 2006

NIM, vicinity Kandahar Afghanistan, 2006

Summary

On 2 September 2006, a UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Nimrod, engaged in operations over Afghanistan experienced a fuel-fed bomb bay fire shortly after completing air-to-air refuelling. The fire spread and the aircraft exploded in flight before the crew were able to land at Kandahar. The Investigation concluded that the fuel leak had been the result of a series of systemic failures to ensure continued airworthiness of the aircraft type.

Description

On 2 September 2006, a UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Nimrod, engaged in operations over Afghanistan experienced a bomb bay fire shortly after completing air-to-air refuelling. The fire spread and the aircraft exploded in flight before the crew were able to land it at Kandahar.

Investigation

The RAF Board of Inquiry (BoI) identified the Probable Causes of the fire as:

  • The escape of fuel during AAR, occasioned by an overflow from no. 1 tank, or a leak from the fuel system (fuel coupling or pipe), led to an accumulation of fuel within the No. 7 tank dry bay. Although of lower probability, the fuel tank leak could have been caused by a hot air leak damaging fuel system seals.
  • The ignition of that fuel following contact with an exposed element of the aircraft's crossfeed/SCP pipework.

and identified the following five Contributory Factors:

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