This C-17A Globemaster III had an explosive engine malfunction upon startup at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio yesterday, with one of the big jet's F117-PW-100 turbofan engines (the military cousin to the engine use don the 757) erupting into flames.
The crew quickly shut the engine down and executed engine fire-procedures while Wright Patterson's fire department was on site quickly to extinguish the fire, saving the nearly $200M aircraft. Still, substantial areas of the jet's wing were charred from the blaze.
A spokesperson for the 445th Airlift Wing located at Wright Patterson stated that the damage was estimated at $300k, while a report from Wright Patterson's Fire Emergency Services states the damage at a whopping $1.5M. Expensive for sure, but way cheaper than ordering a replacement.
Source: WDTN news.
Tyler Rogoway is a defense journalist and photographer who maintains the website Foxtrot Alpha for Jalopnik.com You can reach Tyler with story ideas or direct comments regarding this or any other defense topic via the email address Tyler@Jalopnik.com