Accident
On May 11, 1996, ValuJet Airlines Flight 592, a regularly scheduled passenger service from Miami, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia, departed Miami International Airport. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, crashed into the Florida Everglades approximately 10 minutes after takeoff. The accident occurred when a fire ignited in the aircraft's cargo compartment. All 110 occupants—passengers and crew—were killed in the crash.
Cause
Investigation determined that the fire in the cargo compartment was caused by chemical oxygen generators that had been mislabeled and improperly stored. These generators, which produce oxygen through a chemical reaction, are capable of generating intense heat when activated. The mislabeling and improper storage allowed the generators to activate, initiating a fire that spread rapidly within the cargo hold. The fire compromised the aircraft's structure and control, leading to the crash.