Incident Summary
On 14 September 2013 at 1500 hrs UTC, a Boeing 767-31K (registration G-TCCB) operated a scheduled commercial passenger flight from Manchester Airport to Antalya Airport, Turkey. Shortly after departure, cabin crew detected a strong acrid burning smell from the No 3 oven in the rear galley. The oven was switched off and its circuit breakers opened. The smell intensified and wispy white smoke was seen emanating from the oven. A fire extinguisher was discharged into the oven on two occasions. The commander declared a PAN, completed the 'Smoke, Fire or Fumes' checklist, and diverted to East Midlands Airport. The landing was uneventful; the aircraft was stopped on the runway as a precaution. Rescue and Fire Fighting Service personnel boarded and secured the oven. No evidence of burning was found on or near the oven. Passengers disembarked without injury. There were 11 crew and 320 passengers on board; no injuries were reported.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, cabin crew switched on the ovens in the rear galley. About three minutes later, a strong acrid burning smell was noticed from No 3 oven. The oven was turned off and its circuit breakers opened. The Senior Cabin Crew Manager (SCCM) was informed and briefed the commander, stating that fire fighting had not yet been initiated. As the acrid smell became more intense, wispy white smoke was seen from the sides and top of the oven. A fire extinguisher was discharged into the oven on two separate occasions. The SCCM then informed the commander that fire fighting had been initiated. Upon being advised that the smell and smoke were not decreasing, the commander declared a PAN, performed the 'Smoke, Fire or Fumes' checklist, and initiated a diversion to East Midlands Airport. Before landing, the commander confirmed that smoke intensity was no longer increasing and briefed the SCCM that after a normal landing the aircraft would stop on the runway. The landing was uneventful, with Rescue and Fire Fighting Service in attendance. After consulting with the SCCM and RFFS, the commander positioned the aircraft onto the taxiway, where it was stopped and shut down. RFFS boarded via ladders at the rear left door and secured the oven and galley area. The oven was removed; no evidence of burning on, in, or around it was evident. The aircraft was towed to a stand for passenger disembarkation.
Aircraft and Oven Details
The Boeing 767-31K, G-TCCB, was manufactured in 1997 (serial no: 28865) and powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2B7F turbofan engines. The commander held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, was aged 44, and had 10,340 total flying hours (8,200 on type).
The oven meal insert trays were controlled and installed by an independent ground services company, pre-loaded with meals for the flight. Inspection of oven No 3 revealed no smoke or fire damage. However, the oven pin, which prevents the insert tray from touching exposed elements at the back of the oven, was found to be bent. This allowed the oven insert to contact the exposed heating elements. The oven insert tray was found to be in a bad state of repair and misshapen; it was probably the initiator for the smoke. Additionally, air extraction grilles above the ovens were found blocked with dust and were subsequently cleaned.
The operator's fleet of Boeing 767s had two types of ovens fitted, with one being 11 mm narrower than the other. Testing with a serviceable but slightly dented insert tray showed that trays could be loaded easily into the larger oven and with force into the narrower oven.
Safety Actions
As a result of this incident, the operator inspected all ovens and meal tray inserts on its UK fleet. One oven was found unserviceable, and several insert trays were found distorted and replaced. The operator identified a new insert compatible with both types of ovens in their Boeing 767s.