Aerospatiale ATR-72-212 N263AT

Summary

On 24 October 1995 at about 20:24 local time, a Aerospatiale ATR-72-212 registered N263AT, operated by Simmons Airlines, was involved in an incident near Dfw Airport, Texas, United States. 68 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 October 1995 at 20:24

Classification

Incident

Location

Dfw Airport, Texas, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Aerospatiale ATR-72-212

Registration

N263AT

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Simmons Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Oklahoma City → Dallas/Ft Worth

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96IA024

Nobody was injured.

'O' ring failure in the fuel line to the left engine nozzle assemblies, which resulted in a fuel line leak and a left engine compartment fire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During normal cruise, the left engine experienced a 20% loss of torque. The crew was informed by company maintenance personnel that they might be experiencing a possible fuel nozzle leak on that engine. The #1 engine fire warning light illuminated, and the fire horn activated. The captain secured the engine and discharged the #1 fire suppression agent. Immediately following the discharge, the associated warning lights on the fire handle and condition lever extinguished. An uneventful single engine landing was completed and the passengers deplaned without further incident. Evidence of thermal damage was found in the aft section of the engine in the area of the lower turbine support case. Examination of the system revealed that 3 of the 144 'O' rings associated with the 14-nozzle fuel system were deteriorated or damaged. Also, during the investigation, testing at the engine manufacturer's facility revealed that the inside diameter of the copper gasket used at the fuel drain nipple was 30 to 40% larger than required. This resulted in misalignment and a leak at the fitting.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.