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NTSB Report
January 10, 1990 · Boeing 747-151 · N602US
Detroit, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 10, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Detroit, MI
Aircraft
Boeing 747-151
Tail Number
N602US
Operator
Northwest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI90IA064
AIRLINE GROUND PERSONNEL FOUND HEAT/FIRE DAMAGE IN THE AFT CARGO BAY IN THE VICINITY OF THE MID-SHIP DRAIN MAST. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHEN THE DAMAGE OCCURRED; THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A CREW REPORT OF FIRE/SMOKE DETECTION/WARNING. A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE SYSTEMS INDICATED THAT THEY WERE CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO POPPED CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE DRAIN MAST AND ASSOCIATED GROUND/AIR RELAY SWITCH WERE TESTED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S FACILITY, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OF THOSE COMPONENTS. PREVIOUS SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO INADEQUATE HOUSEKEEPING. THE AREA AROUND THE DRAIN MAST IS A LOW POINT IN THE FUSELAGE, AND A NATURAL PLACE FOR TRASH/LITTER TO COLLECT. INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.
NTSB Probable Cause
A FIRE IN THE AFT CARGO COMPARTMENT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS(S).
Full Narrative
AIRLINE GROUND PERSONNEL FOUND HEAT/FIRE DAMAGE IN THE AFT CARGO BAY IN THE VICINITY OF THE MID-SHIP DRAIN MAST. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHEN THE DAMAGE OCCURRED; THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A CREW REPORT OF FIRE/SMOKE DETECTION/WARNING. A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE SYSTEMS INDICATED THAT THEY WERE CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO POPPED CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE DRAIN MAST AND ASSOCIATED GROUND/AIR RELAY SWITCH WERE TESTED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S FACILITY, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OF THOSE COMPONENTS. PREVIOUS SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO INADEQUATE HOUSEKEEPING. THE AREA AROUND THE DRAIN MAST IS A LOW POINT IN THE FUSELAGE, AND A NATURAL PLACE FOR TRASH/LITTER TO COLLECT. INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 747-151
Tail NumberN602US
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorNorthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT9D-3A · Turbofan · 46960
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightNr
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0