# NTSB MIA84IA172: Boeing 727-35, N4620, Bahamas, Bahamas, May 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1984, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Bahamas, Bahamas
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 125 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84IA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84IA172

## 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)
  - engine accessories,engine starter - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, flight engineer (cause)
- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - engine accessories,engine starter - failure,total (cause)
  - fuel system,line - overload
  - engine assembly,other - fire
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING THRU FL 240, THE AIRCREW NOTED THAT THE #1 ENG FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THEY SECURED THE ENG IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENG FIRE CHECKLIST PROCEDURE, THEN DIVERTED FOR AN UNSCHEDULED LANDING AT MIAMI, FL. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE STARTER VALVE, PN 392688-1, HAD STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE AIRCREW DID NOT RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM DURING THE STARTING SEQUENCE; THEREFORE, HOT BLEED AIR CONTINUED INTO THE STARTER SYS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE STARTER DISINTEGRATED & DAMAGED WIRING & FUEL & OIL LINES, THEN A FIRE STARTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4620 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19165
- Airframe hours: 45420
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7B 14000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Gulf Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: James W. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MYNN, NASSAU, OF
- Destination: KIAH, HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 5,700 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 165° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840524028979I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840524028979I), May 24, 1984: Boeing 727100, Nassau, Bahamas. Engine fire on climb to cruise. Found a stuck open starter valve. Allowed hot bleed air into the starter system.

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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