B748, en-route, Persian Gulf, 2021

B748, en-route, Persian Gulf, 2021

Summary

On 22 March 2021, the pilots of a Boeing 747-8F which had just reached its initial cruise level after departing Dubai observed smoke and sparks coming from the window heating system and declared a PAN advising their intention to dump fuel and return to Dubai. With the faulty system switched off, this was accomplished without further event. It was found that the cause of the system malfunction was a design-related vulnerability with a history of recurrence which had not been adequately addressed by the aircraft manufacturer and the FAA as safety regulator following relevant NTSB Safety Recommendations made in 2007.

Description

On 22 March 2021, a Boeing 747-8RF (LX-VCD) being operated by Cargolux Airlines on an international cargo flight from Dubai Al Maktoum International to Luxembourg had just levelled off at FL 280 in day VMC when an electrical fault in the window heating system led to smoke and sparks which prompted the crew to declare a ‘PAN’ and advise their intention to jettison fuel and return to Dubai. Once the faulty system was switched off, there was no evidence of any continuing hazard and the return to the departure airport was subsequently completed without further event.

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