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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 17, 1984 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-40 · N150US

Minneapolis, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 17, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (239 uninjured)
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-40
Tail Number
N150US
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI84IA196

DURING CLIMB FROM FL330 TO FL370 THE 1ST OFFICER SAW SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE PANEL UNDER HIS GLARE SHIELD. COCKPIT LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF AND SMOKE STOPPED. FLT RETURNED TO MINNEAPOLIS AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE FIRE WAS IN A WIRE BUNDLE LOCATED BTW CENTER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FLORESCENT LIGHT UNDERNEATH THE 1ST OFFICER'S GLARE SHIELD. THE WIRE BUNDLE (REINSTALLED 4 DAYS BEFORE) WAS STRETCHED TIGHTLY ACROSS THE LEFT END OF THE FLORESCENT LIGHT AND WAS FORCED TO TURN AN ABRUPT ANGLE ACROSS A SHARP METAL EDGE ON THE LIGHT. INSULATION AND FABRIC SLEEVE AROUND THE WIRES WAS BURNED LEAVING THE WIRES EXPOSED. TESTING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS DID NOT DETERMINE WHY THEY FAILED TO OPEN.

Full Narrative

DURING CLIMB FROM FL330 TO FL370 THE 1ST OFFICER SAW SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE PANEL UNDER HIS GLARE SHIELD. COCKPIT LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF AND SMOKE STOPPED. FLT RETURNED TO MINNEAPOLIS AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE FIRE WAS IN A WIRE BUNDLE LOCATED BTW CENTER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FLORESCENT LIGHT UNDERNEATH THE 1ST OFFICER'S GLARE SHIELD. THE WIRE BUNDLE (REINSTALLED 4 DAYS BEFORE) WAS STRETCHED TIGHTLY ACROSS THE LEFT END OF THE FLORESCENT LIGHT AND WAS FORCED TO TURN AN ABRUPT ANGLE ACROSS A SHARP METAL EDGE ON THE LIGHT. INSULATION AND FABRIC SLEEVE AROUND THE WIRES WAS BURNED LEAVING THE WIRES EXPOSED. TESTING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS DID NOT DETERMINE WHY THEY FAILED TO OPEN.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time14:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-40
Tail NumberN150US
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT9D-20 · Turbofan · 4350
Seats284

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (239 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured239
Total239
Crew 1First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 18 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data