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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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March 5, 1985 · Lockheed L-1011 · CFTNE

Patuxent River, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 5, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 276 uninjured
Location
Patuxent River, MD
Aircraft
Lockheed L-1011
Tail Number
CFTNE
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
BFO85IA024

WHILE ENROUTE FM FT LAUDERDALE, FL TO MONTREAL, CANADA, AIR CANADA FLT 087 REQUESTED TO MAKE AN UNSCHEDULED LNDG DUE TO SMOKE IN THE REAR OF THE ACFT. C-FTNE WAS VECTORED TO PATUXENT RVR NAS, PATUXENT, MD AND DESCENDED OUT OF FL 370. THE SMOKE WAS DETERMINED TO BE ORIGINATING FM A BLACK BOX IN AN OVERHEAD BIN LOCATED ABOVE SEAT #42. ATMPS WERE MADE DRNG THE DSCNT TO IDENTIFY THE BOX AND FIND THE APPROPRIATE CIRCUIT BREAKERS BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO LACK OF LABEL ON THE BOX AND OTHER DUTIES OF THE CREW DRNG DSCNT. THE ACFT LNDD W/O INCIDENT AT PXT NAS AT 2306 HOURS EST ON MARCH 4, 1985, AND THE CPT RPTD THAT THE SMOKE STOPPED WHILE TAXIING TO PKG. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SMOKE ORIGINATED FROM THE EMGCY PWR PACK WHICH CONTROLS THE EMGCY LIGHTING SYSTEM. A CASE TO CASE ELECTRICAL SHORT BETWEEN 2 ADJACENT CELLS IN THE SELF CONTAINED PACK RESULTED IN OVERHEATING. THIS WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE POLYETHYLENE TAPE USED TO HOLD THE 24 CELLS TOGETHER. AN INTERNAL FUSE IN THE BATTERY CHARGING CIRCUIT WAS FOUND POPPED.

Full Narrative

WHILE ENROUTE FM FT LAUDERDALE, FL TO MONTREAL, CANADA, AIR CANADA FLT 087 REQUESTED TO MAKE AN UNSCHEDULED LNDG DUE TO SMOKE IN THE REAR OF THE ACFT. C-FTNE WAS VECTORED TO PATUXENT RVR NAS, PATUXENT, MD AND DESCENDED OUT OF FL 370. THE SMOKE WAS DETERMINED TO BE ORIGINATING FM A BLACK BOX IN AN OVERHEAD BIN LOCATED ABOVE SEAT #42. ATMPS WERE MADE DRNG THE DSCNT TO IDENTIFY THE BOX AND FIND THE APPROPRIATE CIRCUIT BREAKERS BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO LACK OF LABEL ON THE BOX AND OTHER DUTIES OF THE CREW DRNG DSCNT. THE ACFT LNDD W/O INCIDENT AT PXT NAS AT 2306 HOURS EST ON MARCH 4, 1985, AND THE CPT RPTD THAT THE SMOKE STOPPED WHILE TAXIING TO PKG. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SMOKE ORIGINATED FROM THE EMGCY PWR PACK WHICH CONTROLS THE EMGCY LIGHTING SYSTEM. A CASE TO CASE ELECTRICAL SHORT BETWEEN 2 ADJACENT CELLS IN THE SELF CONTAINED PACK RESULTED IN OVERHEATING. THIS WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE POLYETHYLENE TAPE USED TO HOLD THE 24 CELLS TOGETHER. AN INTERNAL FUSE IN THE BATTERY CHARGING CIRCUIT WAS FOUND POPPED.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time22:48 EST
Nearest AirportPatuxent Nvl Air Station (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length6400 ft
Runway Width300 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLockheed L-1011
Tail NumberCFTNE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 129
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · RB 211 · Turbofan · 42000
Seats311

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 276 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured276
Total278
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 13 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data