Narrative:During a tactical airdrop mission the no. 4 engine caught fire. The engine was shut down but the fire continued until the engine departed the aircraft. The Hercules landed safely at the Fayetteville Regional Airport.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The AIB President found that general maintenance and servicing was accomplished in compliance with technical data and was not a factor in this mishap; however there is clear and convincing evidence that the following item was causal: The first stage turbine wheel disintegrated. Sections of the turbine wheel web, rim and blades exited through the turbine inlet case at the 1 to 2 o'clock,4 and 7 to 8 o'clock positions (aft looking forward). Teardown of the turbine clearly indicates that the majority of he first stage wheel and all the attached blades were missing. All the turbine inlet case struts were cracked."
Sources:
» Executive Summary C-130E accident 5 Sep. 2001 (USAF)
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This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.