FDR, CVR Indicated Smoke Or Fire In Lower Aft Cargo Compartment

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) revealed a new details regarding the September 3rd accident involving a UPS Boeing 747-400 cargo jet.

File Photo

The GCAA investigation team said in a news release Thursday that all of the flight data from the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CRV) has been successfully downloaded in the U.S. at NTSB labs. Analysis of the data is still in progress by the UAE GCAA Investigation Section with the assistance of international experts. The investigation is continuing and the teams are focusing on understanding the issues involved around the cargo carried and the associated risks.

Based on the information gathered to date, specific areas of the investigation are centered around several aircraft systems and standard operational procedures, which are being reviewed. The new records show that after the aircraft departed and approached cruising altitude, a Main Deck Fire Warning alarm sounded at approximately 1912 local time. The crew initiated the check-list and requested vectors to the nearest airport from Bahrain ATC. They were offered Doha, but the flight crew elected to return to Dubai.

There were sequential systems in the flight deck indicating fire or smoke in the Main Deck and the lower aft Cargo compartment. The records also indicate that during their descent there is an evidence that the crew had difficulties seeing the primary flight instrument displays due to thick smoke. There is also evidence to indicate that there was some level of difficulty in the communication process.

The report indicates accident aircraft overflew the Dubai runway at approximately 4000 feet, and shortly after that executed a right turn. Approximately five minutes later the control center alerted Emergency Services that there had been an accident at the Nad Al Sheba area. The GCAA revealed that the investigation involves Agencies, Entities and Authorities in the Middle East, Europe, USA and Asia and will continue for another several months.

FMI: www.gcaa.ae/en