A B767-300 Flight Attendant advised the flight crew of sparks; smoke and flames emanating from the aft galley food cart controller panel. With the assistance of the First Officer the flight attendants were able to unpower all carts and discover the source as a damaged electrical power 'pigtail' on one cart. The international flight then continued to its destination.

2011-12 · NASA ASRS report 987201

Date: 2011-12 · Aircraft: B767-300 and 300 ER · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|flight-deck-cabin-aircraft-event-smoke-fire-fumes-odor

Synopsis

A B767-300 Flight Attendant advised the flight crew of sparks; smoke and flames emanating from the aft galley food cart controller panel. With the assistance of the First Officer the flight attendants were able to unpower all carts and discover the source as a damaged electrical power 'pigtail' on one cart. The international flight then continued to its destination.

Narrative

In cruise at FL340 we received a call from the aft galley reporting that smoke; sparkes and flames were coming out of the aft galley cart controller panels N51; N52; N53; N61; N62; N63. We had the Flight Attendant pull all circuit breakers on the aft galley cart control panel where the power distribution is for the cart power feed. At that time the smoke; sparks and flames ceased. I had the First Officer; who was on break; go back and assist the flight attendants. After an inspection of the panel they pulled all carts out and inspected for damage where they found a damaged pigtail at cart location 504. The First Officer then made a thorough inspection of all electric panels to insure there was no more smoke; sparks or flames!In the flight deck we ran all appropriate checklists and conferred with Maintenance Control and Dispatch. Once assured that all was under control and all power was removed we decided to continue on to our destination where a normal landing was made. Had we had a screw driver; a more thorough inspection could have been made!!!!

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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