Description

On 26 January 2006, an Avro RJ100 being operated by Swiss European Airlines on a scheduled passenger service from Hanover to Zurich had reached the parking gate at destination in normal day visibility when a flash fire occurred following the connection of ground electrical power. The commander ordered an emergency evacuation but since the air bridge was already in position at the aircraft, the cabin crew decided to carry out a rapid disembarkation and all passengers and cabin crew were off the aircraft within two minutes. A flight deck fire extinguisher was used against the apparent origin of the fire, the vicinity of the First Officer’s rudder pedals.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Swiss AAIB. It was found that the flight crew saw “an explosive flame, accompanied by extensive smoke” in the area of the First Officer’s rudder pedals”. It was noted that de-icing agents for movement areas are known to contain substances which represent potential hazards in terms of both corrosion and electrical short-circuits.

The Investigation found that ”on the basis of the chemico-physical analysis it can be assumed that the short-circuit was caused by airport manoeuvring area de-icing fluid which had penetrated the (aircraft ground electrical source) plug.” It was noted that a short-circuit in similar circumstances had previously occurred on 25 November 2005 when the ground power was switched on and that the internal investigation carried out at the time had come to the conclusion that airport surface de-icing agent had penetrated into the plug and caused the short-circuit. It was also noted that similar incidents had apparently also occurred at other airports in the region