# NTSB CHI85IA143: Fairchild F-27, N386BA, Champaign, IL, March 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1985, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Champaign, IL
- Coordinates: 38.249942, -88.249107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2499&lon=-88.2491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85IA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85IA143

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - starting engine(s)
  - fuel system,line - previous damage (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line - burst (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - unapproved part (contributing factor)
- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)

## Analysis

DURING ENGINE START A FUEL LINE RUNNING BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SWITCH RUPTURED AND CAUSED A SMALL FIRE. THE CREW OBSERVED A FIRE WARNING LIGHT,ABORTED THE START PROCEDURE AND ACTIVATED THE FIRE EXTINGUI SHING SYSTEM WHICH PUT THE FIRE OUT. AN ANALYSIS OF THE BRAIDED LINE REVEALED THAT IT COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING BEEN MANUFACTURED BY THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES ORIGINAL FUEL LINES FOR THAT ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN RECENTLY ACQUIRED FROM A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER AFTER MANY YEARS OF SERVICE OVERSEAS. IT WAS THE OPINION OF THE TECHNICIANSPERFORMING THE ANALYSIS THAT THE DAMAGE THAT WEAKENED THE LINE DID NOT OCCUR WHILE THE LINE WAS INSTALLED ON THE INCIDENT ENGINE, BUT RATHER AT AN EARLIER TIME, POSSIBLY WHEN THE LINE WAS INSTALLED ON ANOTHER DIFFERENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N386BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N386BA-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 22, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD F-27 (F27)
- Registry model: [Fairchild F-27](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-f-27) (registry code 3373002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYCE DART 511 1535 lbs thrust turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Britt Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: CMI
- Destination: HUF, TERRE HAUTE, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19850320011379I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850320011379I), Mar 20, 1985: Frchld F27FRCHLD, Champaign, IL, Minor damage. Extinguished engine ground fire with fire bottle. Fuel pressure line ruptured.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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