What happened
While parked at Vancouver International Airport, an Air Canada Airbus A3/300-300, registration C-GFAF, was undergoing preparations for passenger boarding. A technician was inside the cabin attempting to reset a faulty cabin entertainment system following a reported malfunction. During this process, a flight attendant noticed smoke and fire originating from the video system management unit (SMU) located in the forward galley area.
To combat the fire, the technician first used the main power switch to disconnect the entertainment system from the aircraft's primary power. However, smoke continued to emerge from the unit. The technician then deactivated power to the entire aircraft and utilized a halon fire extinguisher to suppress the flames. Airport emergency responders arrived on the scene promptly. The fire was contained to the SMU, and there were no injuries reported. Following the incident, maintenance crews removed the damaged unit, allowing the aircraft to depart without further delay.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the Rockwell Collins P@ssport entertainment system, specifically the SMU (part number RV 970-0029-005). Investigators examined the internal state of the SMU, finding that while the external casing was intact, the internal processor board had suffered extensive heat damage. A specific component, the U18 switching regulator, showed signs of overheating. The investigation also noted that the SMU was connected to 6-volt backup batteries that remained active for up to 120 seconds after the main power switch was flipped, providing a continuous power source during the initial stages of the fire.
Further analysis revealed that the U18 component had a history of issues; it had been replaced twice in the months preceding the fire. Investigators also looked into the manufacturer's production processes and existing industry safety directives from the FAA and Airbus, noting that current regulations did not cover this specific system or aircraft model.