NTSB Factual Report

On April 17, 2003, at 0917 mountain daylight time, a Boeing 757-232, N6712B, registered to and operated by Delta Air Lines, Inc., sustained minor damage when the left engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Salt Lake City, Utah, International Airport. There were no injuries to the captain, first officer, four flight attendants, or 117 passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed for the scheduled domestic passenger flight operating as flight 1901under Title 14 CFR Part 121. The flight originated from Salt Lake City at 0906, and was en route to Atlanta, Georgia.

According to Delta Air Lines officials, the first officer was flying the airplane. As the airplane leveled off at 10,000 feet, the left engine fire warning light illuminated. An emergency was declared and the flight was cleared onto a downwind heading and a descent to 8,000 feet. When the left engine was shut down, the fire warning light remained illuminated and the captain discharged a fire bottle. The warning light remained illuminated. The captain then discharged a second fire bottle. The warning light still remained illuminated. When the airplane was on final approach, the warning light went out. No visible fire was seen from the cabin or from the control tower. After an uneventful landing, the fire department met the airplane and determined there was some "residual smoke" but that the fire was extinguished. The airplane taxied to the gate and the passengers deplaned via the jetway.

Engine examination revealed a flex line routed near the thrust reverser had failed. There was a fuel leak and a hole had burned through the shroud surrounding the hot section.

NTSB Probable Cause

total failure of a fuel flex line. A contributing factor was a fuel leak, resulting in an inflight engine compartment fire.