Plane diverted after exhaust catches fire

A private plane routinely used for parachute jumps had to make an emergency landing after its exhaust caught fire, a report has concluded.

The pilot of the Cessna 208B was flying over Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire, on 23 March 2024, when a low oil pressure warning light flashed on.

He requested to make an emergency landing and noticed smoke coming out of the engine exhausts as the plane descended.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the engine had been repeatedly cleaned incorrectly, leading to corrosion and oil loss.

A scheduled check had been carried out before take-off, with the gauge showing normal oil levels.

The plane was seven minutes into its flight, cruising at 900ft (274m), when the warning light came on.

The aircraft landed and the pilot taxiied off the runway, immediately shutting down the engine.

He noticed what looked like flames coming from the right engine exhaust.

Cranfield's Fire and Rescue Service used CO2 extinguishers to put out the fire and tow the plane to a parking stand.

The engine was sent to the manufacturer's facility in Canada for further investigation, which confirmed the presence of a large amount of oil and water in the exhaust duct.

The company had previously issued a series of letters to remind plane operators of the importance of removing the plug during washes so that water could drain freely.

"The corrosion resulted from numerous unapproved engine compressor washes which had been carried out without the drain plug being removed," the AAIB said.

It found that the washes were being carried out weekly by pilots rather than by their approved maintenance company.

The AAIB said there were "legal implications" for use of the aircraft, as the washes "were not being conducted in accordance with the applicable airworthiness regulations".

"The aircraft was routinely being used for parachute operations at the time," it added.

The organisation said once the plane's operator became aware of the problem, they stopped carrying out washes in-house. They would now ensure they were conducted by the approved maintenance company.

The company will also carry out regular inspections of the drain plug to prevent blockages.

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