The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued its final report about an incident in April 2022 when a Regional Express (Rex) Saab 340 was preparing to depart Melbourne, Australia. According to the investigators, multiple deviations from standard procedures occurred while the aircraft was still on the ground. This resulted in a left-hand engine fire and an evacuation that included some passengers bringing their belongings despite being specifically instructed not to do so.
Disconnecting ground power prematurely Events preceding the incident, which happened at Melbourne Airport (MEL) on April 6, 2022, had begun at 14:44 local time (UTC +10) as the Saab 340, registered as VH-ZRK, was preparing for departure. Initially, after completing the engine start checklist, the pilots started the right-hand engine. About 40 seconds later, the flight crew began going through the same checklist for the left-hand engine.
However, while the propeller had started spinning, a ground staff member disconnected the ground power unit (GPU). “They recalled not being sure why they disconnected the GPU without the instruction to do so, but recalled being preoccupied with the next aircraft departure.” After the pilots realized that the GPU had been disconnected since the cockpit instruments had no power, the captain started going through the interrupted engine start memory items.
The ATSB pointed out that this included turning off the fuel feed, the ignition switch, and motoring to remove.