What happened
At approximately 18:27 EST, an Inter Canadien Fokker F-2 28 MK 1000, registration C-FCRI, was parked at gate 3 of Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec City. During the boarding process, a flight attendant discovered thick white smoke and reddish flames emerging from the forward baggage compartment. The crew immediately initiated an emergency evacuation of the aircraft via the forward airstairs and the right-side evacuation slide.
Airport emergency responders arrived promptly to combat the flames. Firefighters utilized dry chemical extinguishers to suppress the fire within the compartment, eventually closing the door to starve the fire of oxygen. During the process of removing fire-damaged luggage, some items re-ignited upon exposure to the air, requiring the use of water and chemical agents to fully extinguish the blaze. There were no injuries resulting from the incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the origin of the fire and the potential role of the aircraft's equipment. The baggage compartment was approximately three-quarters full, containing various items including travel bags, handbags, and a plastic mail container. Investigators noted that the compartment contained permitted dangerous goods, such as aerosol hairspray and shaving cream.
Laboratory testing was conducted on the baggage compartment lights to determine if contact with luggage could trigger ignition. While tests showed that the light base could reach temperatures of 400°C and melt canvas, no flames were produced. Additionally, testing of the aerosol cans under heat showed no explosion. The investigation also examined the structural integrity of the compartment, noting that the fire-resistant inner walls functioned as designed to contain the fire.
Findings
- The fire likely began during the flight, though the precise moment of ignition remains unknown.
- The exact origin of the fire could not be determined.
- The fire spread upward from the area between travel bags and handbags toward the ceiling.
- The aircraft's baggage compartment design successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading into the main cabin.
- The presence of permitted dangerous goods, such as aerosol cans, was noted, though they did not explode during this event.
Safety action
- The airline implemented protective covers on all baggage compartment lights to prevent any contact with luggage.
- The aircraft manufacturer is evaluating modifications to the lamp guards in the cargo compartment for all Fokker F-28 models to mitigate heat accumulation.