The Manchester Airport disaster and the tragedy of British Air Tours Flight 28M, The Manchester Airport Disaster refers to an incident that occurred on August 22, 1985, involving British Airtours Flight 28M at Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom. The disaster was a result of an engine failure and subsequent fire during takeoff, leading to the tragic loss of lives.
British Airtours Flight 28M was a charter flight bound for the Greek island of Corfu. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-236, and it had 131 passengers and six crew members on board. As the plane began its takeoff roll, a burst tire caused the left landing gear to catch fire. The crew aborted the takeoff, and passengers were evacuated using the emergency slides.
Tragically, the evacuation was not as swift as it should have been. The fire quickly spread, and the intensity of the flames overwhelmed the evacuation procedures. Thirteen passengers lost their lives in the incident, primarily due to smoke inhalation. Many others suffered injuries, with some experiencing severe burns.
Several factors contributed to the severity of the Manchester Airport Disaster:
Inadequate Fire Protection:
The aircraft’s design did not provide adequate protection against the spread of fire in the wheel well, and the material used in the construction of the wheel well contributed to the rapid development of the fire.
Evacuation Delays:
The emergency evacuation was hindered by delays in opening the emergency exits and deploying the slides. Passengers in the rear of the aircraft faced difficulties in evacuating due to the location of the fire.
Crew Response:
The crew faced challenges in managing the emergency situation. The severity of the tire burst and subsequent fire was not immediately apparent, and valuable time was lost in recognizing the gravity of the situation.
Following the Manchester Airport Disaster, various safety recommendations were made, leading to improvements in aircraft design, evacuation procedures, and crew training. The incident underscored the importance of addressing issues related to fire safety and emergency evacuations to enhance the overall safety of air travel.
It’s essential to note that air travel safety has seen continuous improvement over the years, with incidents like the Manchester Airport Disaster contributing to lessons learned and advancements in aviation safety standards.
