Description

On 27 October 2019, a Boeing 737-900 (4X-EHE) being operated by El Al on a scheduled international passenger flight from Paris CDG to Tel Aviv as LY326 was about to begin taxiing after pushback and engine start when an under-floor hold fire was annunciated in the flight deck. Since there were no signs of fire in the passenger cabin or during an emergency services external inspection, a non-emergency disembarkation of all occupants was made. The hold concerned was then opened and fire damage sourced to the overheated lithium battery in a passenger wheelchair was discovered.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the French Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Agency, the BEA. The Investigation was conducted by use of statements and reference to applicable procedures. Since the aircraft electrical power system had remained on, any relevant data on the CVR would have been overwritten and it was not downloaded.