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| Date: | Wednesday 18 October 2023 |
| Time: | 00:17 UTC |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-4K5 (SF) |
| Owner/operator: | West Atlantic UK |
| Registration: | G-JMCZ |
| MSN: | 24126/1697 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1989 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor |
| Category: | Serious incident |
| Location: | Belfast International Airport (BFS/EGAA) -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | East Midlands Airport (EMA/EGNX) |
| Belfast International Airport (BFS/EGAA) | |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The Boeing 737-4K5 (SF), landed at Belfast International Airport after a flight from East Midlands Airport. ATC instructed
the crew to hold at position L1 to allow another aircraft to taxi out of their planned parking position.
The crew performed the after landing checks and started the APU as normal, in preparation for engine shut down. The aircraft was stationary at the L1 position when the APU became available to provide electrical power.
The PM transferred the left bus to the APU generator and when the right side was selected on there was a loud ‘clunk and a flash’. The crew turned around and saw the CB panel behind the co-pilots seat was glowing orange. They reported a strong smell of burning. The co-pilot recalled that after a closer look, he could see what looked like flames coming from behind the CB panel. The commander transferred the electrical power back to the engines while the co-pilot left his seat, removed the fire extinguisher from its stowage position and discharged it behind the CB panel. The commander spoke to ATC and requested the fire service attended the aircraft.
After the extinguisher was discharged, the co-pilot returned to his seat and the crew agreed there was no longer any evidence of fire or burning. They elected to continue to their parking position which was close by. The fire crew attended the aircraft after it was parked on stand and found no evidence of fire.
Conclusion
The R61, forward galley, contactor failed, likely as a result of a loose connector or loss of sealing of the contactor housing. The failure resulted in arcing of the 115 V AC system, emitting light and fumes. The crew acted quickly to extinguish the perceived fire with a handheld fire extinguisher. At this time the associated circuit breaker tripped isolating the R61 contactor. The protection systems operated normally on the aircraft. The use of the fire extinguisher by the crew was an appropriate response based on the information available to them at the time.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
AAIB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-May-2024 16:56 | ASN | Added |
| 09-May-2024 16:57 | ASN | Updated [Time, Location] |
| 09-May-2024 17:34 | RobertMB | Updated [Date] |
| 09-May-2024 18:30 | isamuel | Updated |
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