A Batavia Boeing 737-400, registration PK-YVR performing flight 7P-701 (dep Dec 2nd) from Surabaya to Kupang (Indonesia) with 151 passengers, diverted to Bali after about one quarter of the journey’s distance when the airport of Kupang had to close as result of the partial gear up landing (see Accident: Merpati F100 at Kupang on Dec 2nd 2009, landed without left main gear). The airplane landed safely in Bali. 3 passengers decided to leave the aircraft.
When Kupang reopened the next day (Dec 3rd) at around 11:45am, the airplane now with 148 passengers prepared for takeoff to complete the journey. During engine start up passengers observed sparks, then flames and smoke from the left hand engine, ignored cabin crew trying to stop the rush, opened the emergency exits and evacuated. 3 passengers received serious, 3 other passengers minor injuries in the evacuation.
The airline said, that there was the usual cloud of smoke during engine start up from the left hand engine, there was no fire, there was no danger.
The passengers reported, they saw first sparks, then flames and smoke. The smoke was also visible on the right hand side of the airplane.
The airplane was seen with the left hand engine cowling open after the occurrence, the engine was being worked on.
The Aviation Herald
Tell one of the crew before you do anything… 
Speaking of sparks, I asked about this attached video in the Favorite Landing’s thread and never got a response. Sparks are also visible coming from the engine shortly after the thrust reversers are deployed (around the 1:50-1:55 mark). Is that normal? I was thinking it’s FOD - surely snow wouldn’t cause that, would it? Are sparks evidence of an engine being damaged? Maybe it’s only visible because of the darkness?
- YouTube)
Good eye, that is cool! I don’t know why it would cause sparks right there???
[quote=“WiserTime07”]
Speaking of sparks, I asked about this attached video in the Favorite Landing’s thread and never got a response. Sparks are also visible coming from the engine shortly after the thrust reversers are deployed (around the 1:50-1:55 mark). Is that normal? I was thinking it’s FOD - surely snow wouldn’t cause that, would it? Are sparks evidence of an engine being damaged? Maybe it’s only visible because of the darkness?
- YouTube)
They’re not sparks- what you are seeing is either the red rotating beacon or the anti-collision lights reflecting off the ground and/or the snow.
On short final my mantra is (look for 3 green lights) (look to see that the flaps are full) I say “verify cleared to land” after the FO answers I say “strobes off” in the lear the anti-collision lights will make a great landing bad.[/quote]
