Service difficulty report · Starter · Boeing 727217

Difficulty date
July 18, 1996
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Boeing 727217
Engine
Pwa JT8D17
Part
Starter
Condition
Disintegrated
Location
#2 Engine
Part time
120 hours
Stage of operation
CL
Nature of condition
A
Precautionary procedure
A, E, F

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

(CAN) 5-8 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE #2 ENGINE FIRE ALARM SOUNDED, THE FIRST FIRE BOTTLE WAS DISCHARGED. WARNING LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT SO SECOND FIRE BOTTLE WAS DISCHARGED 30 SECONDS LATER. LIGHT WENT OUT AFTER 5 MINUTES. AIRCRAFT DECLARED EMERGENCY LANDING AND RETURNED TO POINT OF DEPARTURE. POST FLIGHT INSPECTION OF #2 ENGINE FOUND LOWER HALF FROM 6 O'CLOCK TO 8 O'CLOCK POSITION COMPONENTS (IGNITER BOX, GEARBOX, EXCITER, OIL COOLER, ASSOCIATED WIRING, LINES, ETC.) WERE BURNT. THE #2 ENGINE STARTER WAS FOUND DISINTEGRATED AND THE IMPELLER HOUSING HAD BURST. ENGINE WAS REMOVED FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR. #2 ENGINE UPPER SUPPORT STRUCTURE SHOW SIGNS OF BURNING. AIRCRAFT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.