Initial findings of a report on the fire on a British Airways plane in Las Vegas suggest engine parts flew out and landed on the runway.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, there were ‘multiple breaches’ of the engine case in the area around the high pressure compressor.
It said examination of the material recovered from the runway found several pieces of the high pressure compressor spool, around 7-8 inches in length.
"Initial examination of the airplane by NTSB revealed that the left engine and pylon, left fuselage structure and inboard left wing airplane were substantially damaged by the fire," the report said.
"This damage will be documented over the next several days."
Flight 2276, a Boeing 777 bound for London Gatwick, caught fire on the tarmac at McCarran International Airport as the plane was about to take off.
All 157 passengers, including one infant, and 13 crew on board evacuated the plane safely.
Data from the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder and quick access recorder are now being downloaded and the engine is being shipped for closer examination by experts.
BA pilot Chris Henkey, 63, who was praised for his calmness during the fire and subsequent evacuation, revealed the flight was his second last before a planned retirement.
He told NBC News he is unlikely to pilot his final flight.
"It’s safe to say I’m finished flying," he said.
