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September 8, 2009 · Boeing 767 432ER 432ER · N840MH

St. Johns, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 8, 2009
Location
St. Johns, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 767 432ER 432ER (2001)
Tail Number
N840MH
Operator
Delta Air Lines
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ENG09IA016

The Delta Airlines 767 was two hours enroute from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), when the cabin lights flickered, the passenger address system was intermittent and then inop, the left side oxygen masks deployed and a sulphur smell was observed, but no smoke. The flight diverted to ATL and landed without incident. Examination of the area above the forward lavatory on the left side revealed fractured wires, sooted equipment, and chafed structure. Drawings showed the wire bundle was incorrectly routed. These findings indicated that the incorrect routing allowed the wires to chafe over time. This chafe eventually exposed the conductor(s) and either two wires or a wire to grounded structure resulted in a electrical short with arcing. A review of the wire functions within the bundle showed wires related to oxygen system, passenger address system, and lavatory power. This is consistent with the reported anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

Incorrect installation of a wire bundle, which contained wires for oxygen system, passenger address system and lavatory power, led to chafing of the wires on structure. The chafing eventually exposed the wire conductors and resulted in electrical arcing, malfunction of the affected systems and a sulfur odor.

Full Narrative

On September 7, 2009 at approximately 2100 EDT a Delta Air Lines (DAL) 767, N840MH, operating as flight 186, was two hours enroute from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), when the cabin lights flickered, the Passenger Address System was intermittent and then inop, the left side oxygen masks deployed and a sulphur smell was observed, but no smoke. The flight diverted to ATL and landed without incident. There were 206 passengers, 8 cabin crew and three flight crew and no injuries were reported. DAL maintenance crews examined the area above the forward lavatory on the left side and found a wire bundle which had numerous fractured and melted wires, with soot on the bundle and immediate area. There were also signs of chaffing on a piece of support structure near the cable routing. A review of the Boeing wire installation drawings revealed that the damaged wire bundle was routed incorrectly and not properly secured. DAL performed a fleet inspection and found one other airplane with this wire bundle incorrectly routed. It was not damaged and they corrected the installation. The investigation did not determine if the incorrect routing occurred during manufacturing, maintenance, or modifications. A review of the wires in the bundle confirmed that oxygen system, passenger address system, and lavatory power wires were included in the bundle.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time01:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 767 432ER 432ER
Tail NumberN840MH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorDelta Air Lines
Operating RulePart 121

People & Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total0

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightNr
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data