United Airlines Flight 955
Encyclopedia
United Airlines Flight 955, a Boeing 777–222, was on a scheduled flight July 5, 2007 from London Heathrow Airport
to San Francisco. It had just pushed back from the gate at London Heathrow Airport
and started its right engine when an electrical contactor failed, spraying molten metal on a polyethylene terphthalate covered insulation blanket and igniting it. The crew shut down the engine and the fire was successfully contained without injuries to the 205 aboard.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch
(AAIB) found multiple design problems with the particular Tyco Electronics
contactors used in the B777 aircraft and recommended the FAA order their replacement in March 2009. As of July 2009 the FAA had not issued an Airworthiness Directive
to this effect. Boeing has changed the contactors used on new construction aircraft.
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
to San Francisco. It had just pushed back from the gate at London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
and started its right engine when an electrical contactor failed, spraying molten metal on a polyethylene terphthalate covered insulation blanket and igniting it. The crew shut down the engine and the fire was successfully contained without injuries to the 205 aboard.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates air accidents in the United Kingdom. It is a branch of the Department for Transport and is based on the grounds of Farnborough Airport near Aldershot, Rushmoor, Hampshire.-History:...
(AAIB) found multiple design problems with the particular Tyco Electronics
Tyco Electronics
TE Connectivity, Ltd., previously known as Tyco Electronics, Ltd., and formerly a segment of Tyco International, is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, undersea telecommunication systems, and specialty products for customers in more than 150 countries...
contactors used in the B777 aircraft and recommended the FAA order their replacement in March 2009. As of July 2009 the FAA had not issued an Airworthiness Directive
Airworthiness Directive
An Airworthiness Directive is a notification to owners and operators of certified aircraft that a known safety deficiency with a particular model of aircraft, engine, avionics or other system exists and must be corrected....
to this effect. Boeing has changed the contactors used on new construction aircraft.