Aircraft Was Preparing For Local Training Flight

A fire damaged a C-17 Globemaster cargo plane that was preparing for takeoff from Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio on January 7th, causing an estimated $300,000 in damage to the airplane.

None of the crew of 11 was injured, according to Air Force officials.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the fire began during startup of the number 3 engine about 1730 EST. Base officials responded to the scene. Acting Wing Commander Col. Michael Major characterized the damage to the airplane as "minor".

Lt. Col. Jay Smeltzer, aircraft maintenance squadron commander, told the paper that an investigation into the incident was already underway. “This is a very reliable jet,” he said. “This is a very rare occurrence. We suspect that there was a component that malfunctioned inside the engine.”

The crew blew the fire out by cutting the fuel to the engine, and the airflow through the engine extinguished the blaze.

The plane will reportedly be grounded for about two weeks while the investigation is conducted and it is repaired.

(USAF image)

FMI: www.af.mil