OXYGEN GENERATORS BLAMED FOR 1996 VALUJET 592 ACCIDENT TO BE TESTED BY AD HOC GROUP
Forensic Chemistry and Aviation experts today announced the formation of a task group to resolve the ongoing controversy regarding the cause of the fatal fire aboard ValuJet Flight 592 on May 11, 1996. The organizers, Dr. Mark R. Hagadone, Ph.D., and Mark E.J. Fay have chartered The 592 Fire Truth Group (592FTG). The group plans to scientifically test their hypothesis that the oxygen generators aboard 592 MAY NOT have been the cause of Flight 592's fatal fire. The 592FTG will plan, organize, fund, and conduct tests on the same part number oxygen generators that were carried in Flight 592's forward cargo compartment.
The 592FTG is to be comprised of two distinct panels. One panel will be composed of recognized experts in the field of fire initiation and propagation, and the second panel will consist of relatives and friends of the victims of 592, including third party stakeholders, who have a vested interest in determining, to a reasonable scientific certainty, the actual source and origin of the fire aboard 592.
Dr. Hagadone and Mr. Fay will now focus the efforts of the 592FTG on seating the panels and obtaining funding in order to conduct the oxygen generator tests.
DR. MARK R. HAGADONE has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Hagadone is a Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners and is recognized by Federal, State and Territorial courts throughout the Pacific Basin as a Technical Expert in the areas of Forensic Chemistry, Toxicology, Material Sciences and Failure Analysis.
Dr. Hagadone's interest in 592 began with oxygen generator testing that his forensics lab, Inalab, Inc. (see www.Inalab.com), was contracted to perform in 1996 by one of 592's victims' relatives.
MARK E.J. FAY has a B.S. in Aviation Maintenance Management from Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois. Mr. Fay began rebuilding and maintaining airplanes in 1965 in exchange for flying lessons. He later earned a living as a flight instructor, a commuter airline pilot, and as an FAA licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic. More recently, Mr. Fay has worked in various capacities for aerospace manufacturers including Bendix, Sundstrand, Textron Lycoming, Douglas Aircraft Company, and Boeing. After leaving Boeing in 2002, Mr. Fay established www.Airworthy.US, dedicated to restoring the concept of airworthiness to its role as the foundation upon which commercial/civil aviation rests.
Mr. Fay's interest in 592 began the day of the accident. He was employed at the time by Douglas Aircraft Company, maker of the DC-9 aircraft that was ValuJet Flight 592. The week following the fatal crash of VJ 592, Mr. Fay became involved in what he believes was an apparent cover-up of illegal electrical parts installed aboard flight 592 that, according to a 1991 Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive, was issued "To eliminate overheating of primary longitudinal trim relays and the possibility of fire in the forward cargo compartment."
Posted:
Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:33 am
HerkPFE Employee
Joined: Jan 17, 2008 Posts: 10
Location: USA
I am not sure about the outcome of this investigation, but I can tell you from personal witness that O2 Generators in the forward cargo compartment of a ATA DC-10 burnt the plane up in DFW. The Crash/Rescue crew was there in minutes but could not save the aircraft. _________________ Best Regards,
Greg Pierce
www.pierceaviationservices.com
Posted:
Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:20 pm
Mark Employee
Joined: Nov 21, 2003 Posts: 17
Location: USA
Do you have more information on that DC-10 fire? I can't seem to find any information on it.
Thanks
Posted:
Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:06 am
HerkPFE Employee
Joined: Jan 17, 2008 Posts: 10
Location: USA
Mark,
NTSB Identification: DCA86IA037 . The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 32301.
Nonscheduled 14 CFRPart 121 operation of Air Carrier AMERICAN TRANS AIR, INC.
Incident occurred Sunday, August 10, 1986 at CHICAGO, IL
Aircraft:MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-10-40, registration: N184AT
Injuries: 7 Uninjured.
A CHARTER FLT ARRIVED & DEPLANED WITHOUT INCIDENT & WITH NO INDICATION OF SMOKE, FUMES OR HEAT. COMPANY MAINT PSNL HAD PLACED DAMAGED PASSENGER SEATBACKS (INCORPORATING SOLID-STATE CHEMICAL OXYGEN GENERATORS) IN THE FWD CARGO COMPARTMENT WITH SEAT COVERS & OIL. A COMPANY MECHANIC EXAMINED THE SEATBACKS TO FIND A SERVICEABLE UNIT. HE FOUND A LOOSE OXYGEN CANISTER & HANDLED IT IMPROPERLY BY ITS OXYGEN HOSE. SUCH HANDLING CAN RELEASE THE FIRING PIN, FIRE THE PERCUSSION CAP, TRIGGER A CHEMICAL REACTION, & GENERATE OXYGEN. THIS CAN GENERATE UP TO 430 DEG OF HEAT OUTSIDE THE CANISTER. A FIRE BGNIN THE FWD CARGO COMPARTMENT IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE AN OXYGEN CANISTER WAS FND (LATER) WITH A DENTED STRIKER PLATE. THE SEAT COVERS IGNITED, FIRE BURNED THRU THE CABIN FLOOR, & SUBSEQUENTLY, IT SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CABIN. COMPANY MAINT PSNL DID NOT KNOW THAT OXYGEN GENERATORS, CARRIED AS COMPANY SUPPLIES, WERE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE REPAIR OR INSTALLATION OF THE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN EQUIPMENT.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was:
Oxygen system ..Information insufficient ..Company maintenance personnel _________________ Best Regards,
Greg Pierce
www.pierceaviationservices.com
Posted:
Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:19 pm
Mark Employee
Joined: Nov 21, 2003 Posts: 17
Location: USA
Greg,
Thanks for your reply. Curiously, the FAA has purged that report from their website. What's up with that?
This is from faa.gov;
Your search - DCA86IA037 - did not match any documents.
No pages were found containing "DCA86IA037".
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