NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-80-045
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: PUBLISH THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS INCIDENT IN THE MAINTENANCE NOTES SECTION OF THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRWORTHINESS ALERTS, STRESSING THE FACT THAT PILOTS AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL SHARE A RESPONSIBILITY TO INSURE THERE ARE NO UNCOVERED OR UNPROTECTED ELECTRICAL TERMINAL STUDS EXPOSED IN AIRCRAFT. THE MAINTENANCE NOTE SHOULD ALSO REMIND PILOTS OF THE DANGER INVOLVED WHEN CARRYING PRESSURIZED AEROSOL CANS IN AN AIRCRAFT.
Safety Issue and Context
ON JULY 13, 1979, WARD AIR, JUNEAU, ALASKA, DISPATCHED A FLOAT-EQUIPPED BEECH C-18S AIRCRAFT ON A FLIGHT FROM JUNEAU TO DRAKE ISLAND, ALASKA, AND RETURN. FLIGHT TO DRAKE ISLAND, WAS UNEVENTFUL. THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED DRAKE ISLAND WHEN FIRE APPEARED BEHIND THE COPILOT SEAT. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER USED A HANDHELD PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE SAFETY BOARD'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT A PRESSURIZED AEROSOL CAN OF FURNITURE POLISH (USED ONBOARD AS A WINDOW CLEANER) HAD BEEN PLACED ON A SHELF DIRECTLY BEHIND THE COPILOT SEAT NEXT TO AN UNCOVERED AND UNPROTECTED ELECTRIC TERMINAL STRIP.
DURING THE FLIGHT THE AEROSOL CAN APPARENTLY BECAME DISPLACED FROM ITS ORIGINAL UPRIGHT POSITION AND FELL ACROSS THE TERMINALS STUDS. THE PRESSURIZED CAN CONTACTED THE STUDS WHICH CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT BURNED THROUGH THE THIN ALUMINUM WALL OF THE CAN AND IGNITED THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER. THE CAN BURNED LIKE A BLOWTORCH AND IGNITED THE UPHOLSTERY, WHICH WAS MADE OF FIBERGLASS AND PLASTIC. THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD UP TO THE EMERGENCY ESCAPE HATCH BEFORE IT WAS EXTINQUISHED WITH THE HELP OF THE PASSENGER.
Response History
September 12, 1980 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
The Safety Board is pleased to note that the FAA concurs with this recommendation and has included highlights of this incident in the August 1980 issue of the general aviation airworthiness alerts. The status of A-80-45 is classified as Closed-- Acceptable Action.
August 20, 1980 · Recipient Response · FAA
FAA LTR: WE CONCUR WITH THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION AND HAVE TAKEN APPROPRIATE STEPS TO INCLUDE PERTINENT HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS INCIDENT IN THE AUGUST 1980 ISSUE OF THE GENERAL AVIATION AIRWORTHINESS ALERTS. A COPY OF THIS PUBLICATION WAS ENCLOSED.