Philippine Airlines Flight 143

Infobox Aircraft accident
name = Philippine Airlines Flight 143


caption =
date = May 11, 1990
type = Ground Fuel Tank Explosion
site = Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines
coords = Coord|14|30|31|N|121|01|10|E|type:airport
aircraft_type = Boeing 737-300
aircraft_name = PR143
operator = Philippine Airlines
tail_number = EI-BZG
origin = Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Metro Manila, Philippines
destination = Iloilo Mandurriao Airport, Iloilo City
passengers = 114 [http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900511-1 "Accident Description"] ]
crew = 6
fatalities = 8
survivors = 111

Philippine Airlines Flight 143 (PR146) was the route designator of a domestic flight from the Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport, Metro Manila, Philippines to Mandurriao Airport, Iloilo City. On May 11, 1990, the Boeing 737-300 (C/N 24466, MSN 1771) assigned to that route exploded and burned on the ground at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Accident

The air temperature was high at the time of the accident, about 95°F (35°C), while the Boeing 737 was parked at Manila. The air conditioning packs, located beneath the center wing fuel tank of the 737 had been running on the ground before pushback (approximately 30 to 45 minutes). The center wing fuel tank, which had not been filled since March 9, 1990, probably contained some fuel vapors. Shortly after pushback a powerful explosion in the center fuel tank pushed the cabin floor violently upwards. The wing tanks ruptured, causing the airplane to burst into flames. The vapors ignited probably due to damaged wiring; no bomb, incendiary device or detonator had been found. The airline had fitted logo lights after delivery which required passing additional wires through the vapor seals in the fuel tanks. The NTSB recommended to the FAA that an Airworthiness Directive be issued requiring inspections of the fuel boost pumps, float switch and wiring looms as signs of chafing had been found. The FAA declined to issue the Airworthiness Directive. [ [http://www.b737.org.uk/accident_reports.htm "737 accident reports"] ] .

The accident has been linked to other similar accidents involving fuel tank explosions, most notably the TWA Flight 800 incident. Other related accidents include Pan Am Flight 214 and Avianca Flight 203.

Fatalities

There where 8 fatalities out the 120 on-board passengers and crew from the violent explosion on the ground at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There were no ground fatalities or injuries from the explosion.

References