De-icing fluid found in CRJ engine after start-up flaming

Canadian investigators have disclosed that a SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 which emitted flame from an engine on start-up had accumulated de-icing fluid in the power plant. The jet had been preparing to depart Winnipeg for Minneapolis and had taxied to the de-icing area, where fluid was applied with the left-hand General Electric CF34 engine shut down. As it proceeded to the runway the jet's crew attempted to start the engine. But the pilots received a "hot-start" indication with temperatures of 600C, says the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and carried out a shutdown procedure. The aircraft underwent a maintenance inspection after returning to the gate. While there was no indication of damage, says the board, maintenance personnel found a "significant" quantity of de-icing fluid in the affected engine. <br/>