Air New Zealand evacuation after engine fire exceeded safety benchmark
An investigation found that passengers on an Air New Zealand flight took almost twice the recommended 90 seconds to evacuate after an engine fire.
A Transport Accident Investigation Commission inquiry concluded that the evacuation of an Air New Zealand aircraft was significantly slower than the 90-second benchmark, nearly doubling the target time. The incident occurred when an engine fire erupted shortly before landing, prompting the captain to order an evacuation after a safe touchdown. Investigators noted that 19 of the 27 passengers who used the forward exits carried their luggage contrary to safety briefings.
The fire was caused by a defective turbine blade, and the commission recommended that Pratt & Whitney Canada improve its overhaul quality assurance. Air New Zealand’s chief safety and risk officer said the airline has already implemented changes to crew training and passenger safety information. The findings underscore the importance of rapid, orderly evacuations and clearer crew commands.
Why it matters
Slow evacuations raise safety risks, prompting airlines and manufacturers to improve procedures and quality controls.
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