On Friday, June 30, 2023, an Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300 caught fire at St Petersburg Airport in Russia. The plane was preparing for the return flight EK176 to Dubai when the auxiliary power unit (APU) caught fire. The APU is a small engine that provides power to the plane's electrical systems when the main engines are not running. The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters, and all 300 passengers and crew members were evacuated safely. The plane was significantly damaged, but no one was injured.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have been caused by a technical fault with the APU. The APU is a complex piece of equipment, and there have been a number of incidents involving APU fires in recent years.
In 2016, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 777-200 caught fire while parked at Los Angeles International Airport. The fire was caused by a faulty fuel line in the APU. In 2017, a United Airlines Boeing 777-300 caught fire while parked at San Francisco International Airport. The fire was caused by a faulty electrical component in the APU.
These incidents highlight the importance of regular maintenance of APUs. APUs are critical to the safety of aircraft, and any problems with them should be addressed immediately. In the case of the Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300, the fire was quickly extinguished and no one was injured. This is a testament to the professionalism of the flight crew and the airport firefighters. The incident is also a reminder that even the most modern aircraft are not immune to mechanical problems. However, thanks to the quick actions of the crew and firefighters, this incident did not result in any injuries or fatalities.