On February 11, 1999, approximately 0545 local, N3447SS, a Southern Star Boeing B-737-600 operating as Flight IAH005 was departing Houston Intercontinental Airport, runway 8. As the crew of 4 accelerated to 85 knots, the #1 engine fire light came on, associated with a shutter. The captain immediately dropped the throttles to idle and aborted takeoff. No thrust reverse was applied, but the aircraft veered off to the left side of the runway due to lack of heading hold from the #1 engine. A few runway edge lights were damaged and the #1 engine sustained damage during the fire and explosion. The scheduled 121 flight, which originated from IAH enroute to Boston's Logan Airport was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident and an IFR flight plan had been filed for the flight. About 22 passengers sustained minor bruises, but the other 135 passengers and crew members were uninjured.

The engine was examined and tested at the scene. It was found that faulty wiring within the engine chamber caused the engine failure