What happened
During the initial climbout phase after departing runway 21, the flight crew encountered a significant electrical issue. At an altitude of approximately 500 feet, smoke, fire, and sparks suddenly erupted from the lower and upper forward corners of the circuit breaker panel located on the first officer's sidewall. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the captain immediately assumed control of the aircraft. The crew managed to stabilize the plane and executed a safe landing on runway 03 without further incident.
The investigation
Following the event, investigators examined the aircraft's electrical systems to determine the origin of the fire. The inspection focused heavily on the circuit breaker panel where the smoke and sparks originated. The examination revealed several areas of potential chafing or shorting on the interior side of the panel. These contact points were identified as the likely source of the electrical fault that led to the ignition.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this incident was the electrical malfunction within the circuit breaker assembly. The presence of chafed wiring or components causing a short circuit on the interior side of the panel allowed current to arc, generating heat and sparks. This electrical failure occurred while the aircraft was in a critical phase of flight at low altitude, necessitating an immediate diversion and emergency landing procedure by the captain.