Alaska Jetliner Burns After It Hits Terminal

A jetliner being taxied by two mechanics struck an extension of a terminal building Tuesday and burst into flames, forcing a temporary evacuation of Anchorage International Airport, officials said.

The mechanics escaped from the burning Boeing 727, but six firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the Alaska Airlines plane was a total loss, and heavy smoke damage was reported in one concourse of the terminal. The airline said the plane was insured for $3.5 million.

Bridge Destroyed

A boarding bridge destroyed in the blaze was valued at $300,000, airport officials said.

Alaska Airlines credited three employees with taking quick action that prevented more extensive damage.

Bob Welch, Dave Jordan and Chet Yancey hooked a small tow tractor to the burning jet’s nose wheel and pushed it away from the boarding bridge, a tunnel-like structure that connects a terminal to the doorway of a jet, said Lou Cancelmi, the airline’s assistant vice president for communications in Seattle.

Safety board investigator Jim Michaelangelo said that, when the aircraft struck the bridge, a three-foot gash was torn in the jet’s fuselage. The left wing then struck the bridge, rupturing a fuel tank. He said a junction box in the bridge shorted and set the aircraft and bridge on fire.

Hundreds of waiting passengers and airline employees were evacuated from the terminal without incident, Larry Michou, acting airport director, said.

Two of the three concourses and the main terminal were reopened about 45 minutes later.

Michaelangelo said his investigators were questioning the mechanics to determine what caused the accident.