American’s O’Hare Fire Caused By Engine Failure - NTSB

The American Airlines Boeing 767 which aborted takeoff and caught fire at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport last month was caused by an uncontained engine failure, the NTSB said in an update.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the uncontained failure of the right engine, a General Electric CF6-80, took place during its take-off roll.

About two seconds after the engine failure, both engines were throttled back and the autobrake applied. The aircraft decelerated, coming to a stop about 25 seconds after the throttle reduction.

A fuel leak from the damaged engine caused a fire under the right wing, but all 161 passengers and nine crew evacuated with only minor injuries.

The NTSB said a high pressure turbine disk fractured into at least 4 pieces and spread debris around the field. One piece went through part of the right wing, over the fuselage and into a nearby warehouse.

Most of the disk was recovered and examined by the NTSB, with one of the fractures showing possible signs of fatigue cracking.

The investigation continues, with a report to be issued at a future date.