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NTSB Report
March 31, 1993 · Aerospatiale ATR-42-300 · N426TE
Moline, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 31, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (21 uninjured)
Location
Moline, IL
Aircraft
Aerospatiale ATR-42-300
Tail Number
N426TE
Operator
Trans States Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI93IA124
A PASSENGER HAD DISCARDED A CIGARETTE BEFORE LEAVING THE LAVATORY. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT FOUND SMOKE ISSUING FROM THE WASTE BIN AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN THE COCKPIT OF SMOKE OR FIRE. A LATER CHECK OF THE SMOKE DETECTOR SHOWED IT DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN SMOKE WAS GENERATED IN THE LAVATORY. THE OPERATOR ADHERED TO THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM; THE PROGRAM CONTAINED NO PROCEDURE OR INTERVAL FOR CLEANING SMOKE DETECTORS OR DUCTING. THERE WAS NO OPERATIONAL TEST WHICH DEMOSTRATED A DETECTOR COULD SENSE SMOKE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO EXTINGUISH A CIGARETTE BEFORE PLACING IT INTO THE LAVATORY WASTE BIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT WERE: AN INOPERATIVE SMOKE DETECTOR IN THE LAVATORY, THE MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, AND INADEQUATE REVIEW OF THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.
Full Narrative
A PASSENGER HAD DISCARDED A CIGARETTE BEFORE LEAVING THE LAVATORY. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT FOUND SMOKE ISSUING FROM THE WASTE BIN AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION IN THE COCKPIT OF SMOKE OR FIRE. A LATER CHECK OF THE SMOKE DETECTOR SHOWED IT DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN SMOKE WAS GENERATED IN THE LAVATORY. THE OPERATOR ADHERED TO THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM; THE PROGRAM CONTAINED NO PROCEDURE OR INTERVAL FOR CLEANING SMOKE DETECTORS OR DUCTING. THERE WAS NO OPERATIONAL TEST WHICH DEMOSTRATED A DETECTOR COULD SENSE SMOKE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time13:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale ATR-42-300
Tail NumberN426TE
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorTrans States Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PW-120 · Turboprop · 1800
Seats51
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (21 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured21
Total21
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 7 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1650 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC