Heat and fire damage discovered in aft cargo bay

Casualties unknown • Detroit, MI, US

Ground personnel discovered evidence of heat and fire damage near a drain mast in the aft cargo bay, though no inflight fire was reported by the crew.

What happened

During routine operations, airline ground personnel discovered heat/fire damage located in the aft cargo bay. The damage was situated in the vicinity of the mid-ship drain mast. There were no reports from the flight crew regarding smoke detection, fire warnings, or any other indications of an inflight event. No injuries were reported, with the injury index presumed to be none.

The investigation

Investigators conducted a thorough examination of the aircraft systems and components. A functional check of the onboard fire and smoke detection systems confirmed they were capable of normal operation. There were no popped circuit breakers found during the inspection.

Furthermore, the drain mast and its associated ground/air relay switch were subjected to testing at the manufacturer's facility. This testing revealed no evidence of failure in those specific components. The exact timing of when the damage occurred could not be determined.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the damage could not be determined, though similar previous occurrences have been linked to inadequate housekeeping in the area around the drain mast, which serves as a low point in the fuselage where trash and litter tend to collect.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-01-10 Boeing 747-151 accident near Detroit, MI?

Ground personnel discovered evidence of heat and fire damage near a drain mast in the aft cargo bay, though no inflight fire was reported by the crew.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-01-10 involved a Boeing 747-151, registration N602US, operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc., at Detroit, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?