A tailpipe fire on a C-17 mobility jet assigned to the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was likely caused by a malfunction inside the engine, a preliminary investigation shows.

The C-17 was getting ready to take off at about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 7 for a "local flight" when a fire broke out under the aircraft's right wing, damaging the engines, Wright-Patterson spokeswoman Lt. Col. Cynthia Harris said. The fire burned for about 20 seconds before base firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.

There were no injuries, and crews were able to shut the engines off immediately.

The fire remains is under investigation, and a preliminary report shows a malfunction inside the engine cause the tailpipe fire. The incident is a "Class C" mishap, with damage estimated at about $300,000.

The 445th Airlift Wing is an Air Force Reserve unit at the Ohio base, and flies nine C-17s.

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