Incident Overview
On November 29, 2014, at 15:48 UTC, a scheduled passenger flight operated by Tyrolean Airways (Austria) was taxiing at Dnepropetrovsk International Airport (Ukraine) when smoke was detected in the passenger cabin. The aircraft, a Fokker F28 Mark 0070 registered as OE-LFJ, was preparing to depart for Vienna, Austria.
Sequence of Events
During taxi from parking position No. 6 to the anti-icing point, the cabin crew noticed smoke in the rear of the passenger cabin. The smoke was described as white, acidic, and irritating. The senior flight attendant reported the smoke to the captain via the passenger address system. The captain instructed the co-pilot to assess the situation and opened the cockpit door, observing thick smoke. The captain increased airflow from the air conditioning packs (PACK No. 1 and No. 2) to ventilate the cabin, but the smoke persisted. He then increased engine power, which according to the senior flight attendant intensified the smoke. At that point, the lavatory smoke detector activated, triggering the "LAVATORY SMOKE DETECTOR" warning and an aural alarm in the cockpit.
Emergency Evacuation
At 15:52, the captain declared an emergency with a "MAYDAY" signal and informed air traffic control of the smoke. He followed the on-ground emergency checklist, shutting down the engines and cutting electrical power. The aerodrome control tower operations manager announced an "ALARM" signal at 15:52. Evacuation began at 15:53 via emergency exits onto the left and right wing surfaces and the forward left door using a fixed ladder. All 64 passengers and 4 crew members were evacuated by 16:02. During the evacuation, one passenger sustained minor injuries to the coccyx and right ankle; first aid was provided and the passenger declined hospitalization.
Aircraft Inspection and Damage
Emergency services inspected the aircraft but found no source of smoke. After ventilation and inspection, the aircraft was towed to parking position No. 18. No fire or ignition points were discovered. However, during the evacuation, nine dents were made to the left wing interceptors (panels 1, 2, 3) and two dents to the right wing interceptors (panels 1, 2). The damage was classified as Category 2 per SRM 51-10-02, allowing deferred repair within 300 flight hours.
Subsequent Actions
Following the incident, maintenance personnel conducted troubleshooting, including checks and replacements of components such as air supply control valves and hydraulic system valves. The No. 2 air conditioning pack was deactivated per MEL 21-51-1 (Category C). Three fire extinguisher cylinders for the engines and APU were replaced. The aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were read out and transcribed by the operator in the presence of Austrian aviation authorities.
Injuries and Damage
None of the 64 passengers or 4 crew members suffered fatal or serious injuries. One passenger had minor injuries. The aircraft sustained only the wing interceptor dents, with no other damage.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the incident, weather conditions included wind from 060° at 5 m/s, visibility 450 meters, runway visibility ranging from 1300 to 1500 meters (increasing), heavy snow, vertical visibility zero, temperature -1°C, dew point -2°C, and QNH 1023.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined the sequence of events as described, but did not establish a probable cause for the smoke. The smoke source was not identified during post-incident inspections.