Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD-88 near Atlanta, GA — 2010-07-18

Final reportENG10IA041
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Date
2010-07-18
Location
Atlanta, GA, USA
Airport
ATL
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD-88
Registration
N990DL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The cause of the right wing landing light switch fire is undetermined.

NTSB narrative

The MD-88 declared an emergency and returned to the departure airport after the crew smelled an electrical odor during the climb to cruise. After landing the crew observed small flames emanating from the Captain’s side of the glareshield. A maintenance inspection revealed that the right wing landing light switch displayed evidence of severe heat damage and no other source for the fire could be identified. No anomalies with respect to switch installation were noted by the personnel who removed the switch. The “Right Wing Landing Light” (B1-15) and “Right Wing Landing Light Control” (B1-16) circuit breakers were also found to be open following the event. A Systems Group was formed and the Group examined the switch at the Eaton facility in Milwaukee, WI. The switch was severely fire damaged with the greatest amount of thermal damage and contact degradation occurring at the B1 contact. The cause of the switch fire could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Crew could have returned to land immediately upon detecting the electrical odor.

NTSB coding

  • Fire/smoke (non-impact) · Enroute-climb to cruise

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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