Emergency Landing and Evacuation Following Electrical System Failure

Casualties unknown • Portland, ME, US

A commercial flight was diverted after a loud pop signaled an electrical failure. Smoke filled the cabin, prompting an emergency landing where all main gear tires burst due to anti-skid system loss.

What happened

During cruise flight, the captain heard a loud pop and noticed an interruption on the electrical panel. The right "BUS OFF" and "GEN OFF BUS" warning lights illuminated immediately. No generator amperage or frequency readings were observed following the event. A faint odor of smoke was detected in the cabin.

The captain initiated the auxiliary power unit (APU) and transferred the right-side electrical load to the APU generator. The "BUS OFF" light extinguished, indicating temporary restoration of power. However, within a minute, the level of smoke increased significantly. The captain shut down the APU and requested the crew execute the electrical smoke and fire checklist.

An emergency landing was conducted. During the rollout, all four main gear tires failed simultaneously. The crew and passengers performed an emergency evacuation immediately after the aircraft came to a stop.

The investigation

Post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed that the failure originated in the Generator Control Unit. Specifically, a capacitor installed within the unit's circuit had failed. This component failure caused the #2 Generator Control Unit to become inoperative.

The loss of the generator control unit resulted in the anti-skid system becoming inoperative. The lack of anti-skid functionality during the emergency landing directly contributed to the failure of all four main gear tires.

Probable cause

The failure of a capacitor in the #2 Generator Control Unit, which rendered the anti-skid system inoperative and caused the subsequent failure of all main landing gear tires during the emergency landing.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1984-06-28 Boeing 737-130 accident near Portland, ME?

A commercial flight was diverted after a loud pop signaled an electrical failure. Smoke filled the cabin, prompting an emergency landing where all main gear tires burst due to anti-skid system loss.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1984-06-28 involved a Boeing 737-130, registration N417PE, operated by People Express, at Portland, ME.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The failure of a capacitor in the #2 Generator Control Unit, which rendered the anti-skid system inoperative and caused the subsequent failure of all main landing gear tires during the emergency landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X40098. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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