Plane shifted as unit sparks fly
NZPA special correspondent Rarotonga A geyser of red-hot carbon sparks from an overheated auxiliary power unit shot into the air beside a parked Air New Zealand Boeing 747 at Rarotonga yesterday before the unit was quickly towed away. The last of about 400 passengers was boarding the Auckland-bound aircraft at Rarotonga Airport at the time.
The 747 pilot immediately cut off fuel to the engines to avert further danger. The sparks rose above the height of the aircraft. Auxiliary power units are used to generate power for the aircraft to help start engines. Airport officials said the sparks were most probably the result of a build-up of carton in the machine, which had had heavy use in the last fortnight, plus slightly impure diesel.
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Press, 19 August 1985, Page 2
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130Plane shifted as unit sparks fly Press, 19 August 1985, Page 2
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