On August 8, 1971, a Vickers Viscount (registration N7415) operated by Aloha Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Honolulu, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An undetected electrical short within the left nickel-cadmium aircraft battery, which resulted in the absorption or an increasing amount of heat energy over an unknown period of time and progressed to a state of thermal runaway. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
After landing and taxiing to parking, smoke appeared in the cabin. All 22 occupants evacuated without injury, but the aircraft was seriously damaged by fire and written off.
Incident Summary
Following a normal landing at Honolulu, the flight crew completed the braking procedure and vacated the runway, taxiing to the parking area. At that point, the cabin crew alerted the pilot to the presence of smoke in the cabin. The pilot immediately stopped the aircraft.
Evacuation and Response
All 22 occupants evacuated the aircraft promptly. There were no injuries reported during the evacuation.
Damage
The aircraft sustained serious fire damage and was subsequently considered a write-off.
Probable Cause
An undetected electrical short within the left nickel-cadmium aircraft battery, which resulted in the absorption or an increasing amount of heat energy over an unknown period of time and progressed to a state of thermal runaway.
