What happened
On 14 September 2013, a Boeing 767-31K, registration G-TCCB, was performing a scheduled passenger service from Manchester Airport to Antalya, Turkey. Approximately ten minutes after the aircraft departed, cabin crew activated the ovens in the rear galley to begin meal preparation. Shortly thereafter, a pungent, acrid burning odor was detected coming from the number three oven.
In response, the crew deactivated the oven and opened the relevant circuit breakers. However, as the smell intensified, wispy white smoke began to escape from the top and sides of the unit. The Senior Cabin Crew Manager notified the commander, and the crew utilized a fire extinguisher on the oven twice. Due to the persistent smoke and smell, the commander declared a PAN and diverted the aircraft to East Midlands Airport. The aircraft landed without incident, and the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) met the aircraft on the runway to secure the galley area.
There were no injuries to the 320 passengers or 11 crew members on board.
The investigation
Investigators examined the compartment and electrical wiring of the number three oven, finding no direct evidence of fire damage or smoke scarring within the unit itself. However, the inspection revealed that a safety pin, designed to prevent the meal insert tray from making contact with the rear heating elements, had been bent. This mechanical failure allowed the tray to touch the exposed elements.
Further examination of the equipment showed that the meal insert tray was misshapen and too large for the oven. The investigation also noted that the air extraction grilles above the ovens were obstructed by dust. Additionally, it was discovered that the operator utilized two different oven models on their fleet, with one being 11 mm narrower than the other. The investigation found that distorted trays could be forced into the narrower oven type, potentially causing the misalignment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the smoke was the contact between the meal insert tray and the exposed heating elements caused by a bent oven pin.
- The meal insert tray was in a poor state of repair and was misshapen.
- The presence of dust in the extraction grilles contributed to the environment.
- Discrepancies in oven dimensions across the fleet allowed improperly sized trays to be loaded into narrower units.