# NTSB SEA96LA062: Boeing 767-332, N125DL, Portland, OR, February 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 1996, 07:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Portland, OR - Coordinates: 45.439971, -122.759918 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4400&lon=-122.7599&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 139 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42339/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA062 ## Probable cause the passenger's unsuccessful (improper) evacuation of the aircraft. The malfunctioning APU was a related factor in that it torched and produced smoke, due to a faulty fuel control unit and/or gearbox shutoff valve, thereby prompting an emergency evacuation of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - auxiliary power unit - malfunction (contributing factor) - auxiliary power unit - smoke (contributing factor) - Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) not operating - evacuation - improper, passenger (cause) ## Analysis While the Boeing 767 was taxiing for departure, the crew of another aircraft reported that there was smoke and flames coming from the Boeing 767 APU exhaust. The crew of the Boeing 767 shut down the APU and began coordinating with dispatch for a return to the gate. The crew was then directed by the tower to hold their position and to shut down their engines. Soon thereafter, the tower advised the crew that the Fire Marshall had called for the aircraft to be evacuated because there was still smoke coming from the APU exhaust. The aircraft was evacuated using the evacuation slides at the door exits. One passenger received serious injuries during the evacuation. An inspection of the APU showed that the fuel control unit and the gearbox shutoff valve needed to be replaced. Once those units were replaced, the APU was test run with no further discrepancies noted. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 1996, approximately 0715 Pacific standard time (PST), a Boeing 767-332, N125DL, experienced an APU exhaust fire at Portland International Airport, Portland, Oregon. None of the flight or cabin crew were injured, but three of the 135 passengers received minor injuries, and one sustained a serious injury. The scheduled Part 121 domestic passenger flight had come to a stop while taxiing for takeoff in VFR conditions. The intended destination was Los Angeles International Airport. According to Delta Air Lines, the crew of another aircraft reported flames and smoke coming from the APU exhaust of the 767 while it was taxiing for takeoff. The 767 crew shut the APU down, and began coordination with their dispatch for returning to the gate. They were then directed by Portland Tower to hold position and shut down the aircraft's engines. Soon thereafter, Portland Tower advised the crew that the Fire Marshall had said to evacuate the aircraft because there was still smoke coming out of the exhaust. The flight crew then activated the APU fire bottle and initiated the evacuation, which was carried out via the evacuation slides at the door exits. According to the cabin crew, although some passengers were hesitant about jumping onto the slides, the evacuation proceeded in a calm and orderly manner. One passenger sustained an ankle fracture during the evacuation process. After the accident, the aircraft was inspected for smoke and/or fire damage to the structure, and none was found. The aircraft was then ferried to Los Angeles International Airport, where the APU was removed and sent to Delta's APU shop in Atlanta for inspection. As a result of that inspection, during which the engine "...torched on start," it was determined that both the fuel control unit and the gearbox shutoff valve needed to be replaced. Once those units had been replaced, the APU was test run with no further discrepancies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N125DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N125DL-2018-12-06), registration cancelled 2018-12-06, S/N 24075, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 767-332 - Registry model: [Boeing 767-332](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-767-332) (registry code 1385101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CF6-80 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf6-80-series) (registry code 30025, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24075 - Airframe hours: 26272 - Engines: GE CF6-80A2 56000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Air Lines - Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 16, 1996, 32 hours before - Departed: PDX - Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PDX, Portland International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21,000 total, 4,101 in this make and model, 223 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 16 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PDX, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960220045989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960220045989A), Feb 20, 1996: Boeing 767332, Portland, OR. (.4)While the Boeing 767 was taxiing for departure, the crew of another aircraft reported that there was smoke and flames coming from the Boeing 767 APU… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.