Engine run away? I think not
If it was a runaway:
I don’t think the flames would be looking like a BBQ, there’s 9000 lb of thrust at max I think.
I don’t think the fire crew would let the ground crew continue to gravity refuel the Gnat nearby!
And a brave man would stand at the back of a RB199 as it ‘ran away’ with or without a fire extinguisher!!!
Probably residual fuel burning, perhaps a leak caused by valve not closing properly.
If it was just a jet pipe fire, I believe they could get away with a quick inspection, the jet pipes are designed to operate in a fairly harsh environment!
As to a run away, caused by selecting ‘Batts Off’ I believe ‘Batts ON’ fixes the problem.
Throttle movement forward = less millivolts = more fuel put in the can
Throttle movement to rear = more millivolts = less fuel
Batteries OFF or Elect Failure = No millivolts = lots and lots of fuel untill Bang!
RB199 UETF (Uninstalled Engine Test Facility) had battery back ups should the base electricity supply fail. Batteries (wet) were checked on a weekly (I think) basis and signed for. Of course you could actually sign that you had checked them, when you actually had not.
If the previous checks had also been done in a similar ‘professional manner’
the batteries might not be in a very good condition!
On the last day of each month the base tests the emergency generators by shutting down normal power. There is an engine test being done, the power goes off and the batteries take over to maintain the ‘electricral control’ ………….. I said ‘the batteries take over to maintain the ‘electricral control’ ………….. or perhaps, because they are DRY there is no back up and the engine self destructs!
Not that this hypothetical event would take place in todays modern professional military..although yesterdays is a different matter!
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