Powered by GoogleTranslate

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA

Contact Us FAQ A to Z Index English Español

Return to Accident Search Results

Accident Report Detail

Accident: 14397822 - One Killed And Four Injured In Aircraft Refueling Fire

Accident: 14397822 -- Report ID: 0625400 -- Event Date: 07/24/1989
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
10226906507/25/19893721San Antonio Air Logistics Center (Aflc)
A fuels crew was in the process of refueling the wing tanks of a B-52 aircraft with JP-4 fuel for a 24 hour standard flight check. The aircraft has a single point receptacle for refueling and was being filled from a fuel truck. Employee #1 was in the cockpit operating the electrical fuel panel. Employee #1 was in communication with Employee #5 by means of a headset. Employees #2 and #3 were working on the seats in the cockpit. They should not have been working on the aircraft during the refueling operation. Employee #4 was the fuel truck driver. The wing tanks were full and the employees started filling the center wing tank. The center wing tank ruptured due to a vent plug not being removed after pressure and vacuum leak tests were performed on the previous Friday. Approx. 2,600 gallons of fuel spilled on the ramp and ignited. Employee #3 was able to get out the bottom hatch of the cockpit, but his legs were burned as he ran from the aircraft. Employee #2 attempted to open the top hatch of the cockpit and the back of his arms were burned. Employee #2 managed to climb out a window and jumped to the ground. Employee #2 fractured both of his ankles when he landed. Several employees from inside the hanger ran out to the aircraft and carried him to safety. Employee #1 was unable to get out of the cockpit and was killed. Employee #4 ran toward the hanger and had chest pains when he got there. Employee #5 ran toward the hanger and had back pains.
Keywords: burn, aircraft, fire, rupture, fuel truck, tank
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 102269065 Hospitalized injury Other Aircraft mechanics, excluding engine
2 102269065 Hospitalized injury Burn/Scald(Heat) Aircraft mechanics, excluding engine
3 102269065 Hospitalized injury Burn/Scald(Heat) Aircraft mechanics, excluding engine
4 102269065 Fatality Burn/Scald(Heat) Aircraft mechanics, excluding engine
5 102269065 Hospitalized injury Other Aircraft mechanics, excluding engine

Thank You for Visiting Our Website

You are exiting the Department of Labor's Web server.

The Department of Labor does not endorse, takes no responsibility for, and exercises no control over the linked organization or its views, or contents, nor does it vouch for the accuracy or accessibility of the information contained on the destination server. The Department of Labor also cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked Web sites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked Web site. Thank you for visiting our site. Please click the button below to continue.

Close