China Southwest Airlines Flight 4146
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chongqing , China |
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China Southwest Airlines Flight 4146 operated as a domestic route between Beijing Capital International Airport and Chongqing Baishiyi Airport. On 18 January 1988, the Ilyushin Il-18 assigned to this flight crashed near Longfengxinmin Village in Chongqing, China, resulting in the deaths of all 108 individuals aboard. The accident was attributed to substandard maintenance practices.
Flight
Flight 4146 was a regular scheduled service transporting 98 passengers and a crew of ten from Beijing Capital International Airport to Chongqing Airport, Chongqing. The journey proceeded without incident until approximately 21:50, when the aircraft approached Chongqing. At that time, the Number Four engine—the outermost engine on the right wing—caught fire. The blaze compromised the engine mount, causing the engine to detach from the wing. This damage led to loss of control over the aircraft. Subsequently, Flight 4146 collided with a power line and two rural dwellings before erupting into flames. All occupants aboard the Ilyushin Il-18 were killed. The passengers included 104 Chinese nationals, three Japanese citizens, and one British individual.
The fire originated from an oil leak within the engine. Due to intense vibrations, the crew shut down the affected engine and feathered its propeller. However, the starter/generator connected to this engine had overheated severely enough to burn through the high-pressure oil line responsible for feathering the propeller blades. When the crew activated the feathering mechanism, this oil line ruptured, releasing flammable oil that ignited and caused the engine fire.
Aftermath and Cause
Shortly following the accident involving Flight 4146, the Civil Aviation Administration of China initiated inspections that uncovered mechanical defects, resulting in the suspension of at least 17 aircraft from service.
The investigation attributed the Flight 4146 disaster to inadequate maintenance practices.
See also
- China Southwest Airlines Flight 4509, another fatal incident linked to insufficient upkeep.
- Nigeria Airways Flight 2120, a case of an onboard fire triggered by improperly maintained tires bursting during takeoff, causing 261 fatalities.
References
External links
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