Casualties unknown

Smoke in Cockpit and Cabin Prompts Emergency Evacuation; Hydraulic Check Valve Failure Identified as Source (N11060)

Jamaica, NY, US

On February 20, 1996, an Airbus Industrie A-300B4-605R (registration N11060) was involved in an aviation accident near Jamaica, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of a hydraulic check valve, which allowed hydraulic fluid into the engine pneumatic duct, causing smoke. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

After pushback and engine start, smoke appeared in the cockpit and cabin, leading to an emergency evacuation. The investigation found a hydraulic check valve failure allowed hydraulic fluid into the engine pneumatic duct. Two passengers were seriously injured and 32 had minor injuries.

Incident Summary

The aircraft had been pushed back from the gate and both engines were started. The pneumatics system was shifted from the auxiliary power unit to the engines. Shortly thereafter, smoke was observed in both the cockpit and the passenger cabin. The flight crew donned their smoke masks, and the captain ordered an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.

Evacuation and Injuries

During the evacuation, two passengers sustained serious injuries, and an additional 32 passengers received minor injuries. The evacuation proceeded as the crew directed passengers to the exits.

Investigation Findings

An investigation into the incident determined that the source of the smoke was a hydraulic check valve failure. This failure allowed hydraulic fluid to enter the engine pneumatic duct, producing the smoke that filled the cockpit and cabin.

Door Malfunction

The investigation also noted that the 3R door evacuation slide did not deploy during the evacuation. Further inspection revealed that the door had not fully opened. However, when the door was manually pushed during the investigation, it opened fully, and the slide deployed and inflated as designed.

Probable cause

Failure of a hydraulic check valve, which allowed hydraulic fluid into the engine pneumatic duct, causing smoke.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05312. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.