No fatalities

Aircraft Destroyed by Fire on Ground at Honolulu (N7415)

Honolulu, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

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).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive (1962-1981)Updated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N7415
Aircraft registered N7415. Photo: Bill Larkins / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Aug 1971 Vickers Viscount accident near Honolulu, United States of America?

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.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Aug 1971 Vickers Viscount accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Aug 1971 involved a Vickers Viscount, registration N7415, operated by Aloha Airlines, at Honolulu, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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.