Aircraft and fueling station fire at Bend Airport
By Mindy Gould on Friday, June 9th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
Bend (Release from Bend Fire & Rescue)-Bend Fire Department responded with DCSO to a reported fire at a fueling station located at he Bend Airport at 1:42pm. First arriving fire units found a fueling station for aircraft fully involved and the fire spreading to twin engine plane parked next to it. The closest buildings were 50 feet away from the tanks. Fire crews were able to quickly put a lot of water onto the fire and stop the progress and keep the fire from spreading to any other adjacent buildings or aircraft. Initially there were concerns of the fuel tanks exploding and Powell Butte Highway was closed down for a short time. Once the fire was extinguished the highway was reopened. All air traffic was shut down until 5pm at the Bend Airport to ensure the safety of those on the ground and those landing.
Redmond Fire Department responded with one of their aircraft rescue firefighting engines (ARFF) from the Redmond Airport. This specialty fire truck is equipped with AFFF foam designed for aircraft and flammable fuel fires. The foam was used to complete the extinguishment of the aircraft and prevent the vapors from the reminding fuel from reigniting. We were also assigned by DCSO with traffic control and the investigation. City of Bend staff from multiple departments assisted.
It was determined that a twin-engine Cessna 340 prop plane had just finished refueling in preparations for its return flight now. When the pilot maneuvered away from the fueling station his wing clipped the metal awing the covers the fuel pumps. The wing immediately ignited and the burning fuel from the aircraft spread to the pumps. With the protected design of these tanks and fueling station, the tanks were equipped with over pressure relief valves on top and shut off valves in the system. The vents allowed the vapors from the fuel inside to escape and not allow it to build up pressure inside. This pressure would’ve led to the tanks exploding. The shut off valves kept the remaining fuel inside tanks and not spilling out. Two above ground tanks supply the fuel pumps; one had 6,000 gallons of aviation fuel in it, the other 3,000 of jet fuel. Approximately 180 gallons of fuel was in the aircraft and was still leaking after the fire. Maintenance crews from Leading Edge Aviation worked to secure that leak. All water run off was contained on site and did not appear to pose any further threat.
Estimated value of the aircraft is $300,000 and is a complete loss. The fuel tanks and pump station are valued at $500,000. The loss on the pump system is estimated at $250,000.
