Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 24 November 1993
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87)
Owner/operator: Scandinavian Airlines System – SAS
Registration Number: SE-DIB
Location: Kobenhavn-Kastrup Airport (CPH) – ÿ Denmark
Phase of Flight: Taxi
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 85
Component Affected: Electrical wires (L1156AM18 and M504D16)Electrical wires (L1156AM18 and M504D16)
Category: Accident
A flight occurred when electrical smoke was detected during taxiing to the gate. The plane was evacuated due to the development of smoke, resulting in significant damage to the fuselage and interior, specifically the aft area. Investigation revealed a fire originating from two electrical wires ? L1156AM18 and M504D16 ? which were pinched due to insufficient clamping mechanisms, leading to a 10-15 cm slack between supports.A flight occurred when electrical smoke was detected during taxiing to the gate. The plane was evacuated due to the development of smoke, resulting in significant damage to the fuselage and interior, specifically the aft area. Investigation revealed a fire originating from two electrical wires ? L1156AM18 and M504D16 ? which were pinched due to insufficient clamping mechanisms, leading to a 10-15 cm slack between supports.

Description

When taxiing to the gate a smell of electrical smoke was detected by a flight attendant. Smoke continued to develop and the plane was evacuated at the gate. A fire subsequently substantially damaged the fuselage skin and destroyed the aft interior of the plane. The investigation found the origin of the fire in two electrical wires that provided 115-volt alternating current (AC) to a utility plug in the right stowage closet, and 28-volt AC to lights in the stowage closet and the emergency drawer at the bottom of the closet, respectively. The wires (L1156AM18 and M504D16) were found to have a slack of about 10 centimeters to 15 centimeters for a distance of about 45 centimeters to 55 centimeters between supports and became pinched between the inboard-facing flange of [an intercostal] and the recirculation fan duct because of a lack of provision for clamping or other means to secure the wires.

Primary Cause

Insufficient clamping mechanisms and lack of support for electrical wires, causing a pinch and subsequent fire.Insufficient clamping mechanisms and lack of support for electrical wires, causing a pinch and subsequent fire.

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