ATW online

A small hole in a fuel tank caused by a loose wing slat bolt was the likely cause of the Aug. 20 China Airlines 737-800 post-landing fire and explosion at Naha Airport in Okinawa, Japan’s Aircraft and Railways Accidents Investigation Commission said yesterday.

Kazushige Daiki, the commission’s chief investigator, said a 0.8-1.2-in. hole was found in a fuel tank. Investigators believe the hole was caused by a bolt from a right wing slat. “The bolt pierced through the fuel tank and we believe that caused fuel to leak out,” he said at a news conference in Okinawa. The fuel subsequently ignited, although the source of the ignition was not discussed. The commission released a photograph that showed the punctured fuel tank, which appeared to have a hole with a bolt protruding from it.

Daiki added that it is unknown how the bolt came loose and made its way to the tank. All 165 passengers and crew were able to escape the fiery aircraft before an explosion destroyed it (ATWOnline, Aug. 22). At a separate news conference in Taipei, Taiwan Aviation Safety Council Executive Director Yang Hung-chih confirmed that investigators believe “a several-cm.-long bolt came off from its position and pierced the tank, resulting in the leak.”

Meanwhile, CI Chairman Philip Wei offered his resignation but it was unclear whether it will be accepted by the airline’s board. The carrier outlined details of pay packages for the 157 passengers who escaped the aircraft. Each business class passenger will receive TWD30,000 ($989.75) as a “trip payment” plus TWD20,000 for carry-on baggage and TWD30,000 for checked baggage. Each economy passenger will receive TWD25,000 plus TWD20,000 for carry-on bags and TWD20,000 for checked luggage.

CI described the compensation in a statement as “good-will payments” and noted that they are in addition to $100 and ¥25,000 ($217.90) in cash given to each passenger on the day of the incident.