The transport safety panel issued a safety recommendation to U.S. and Taiwan aviation authorities Friday, saying a maintenance error caused a Boeing jet operated by China Airlines to catch fire and explode in 2007 in Okinawa, transport ministry officials said.
On Aug. 20, 2007, after arriving at Naha airport, the Boeing 737-800 burst into flames and exploded moments after all 157 passengers and eight crew members evacuated safely.
In a report released Friday, the Japan Transport Safety Board concluded the explosion was caused by a maintenance error that caused a bolt to fall off the aircraft's main wing and pierce a fuel tank, causing fuel to gush through the hole and catch fire.