Worry over BA electrical fires
British Airways planes have reportedly experienced a series of electrical fires that have been similar to those blamed for several air crashes.
According to The Times newspaper, Ken Smart, the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, has issued a special report highlighting the link, because he is so concerned.
The newspaper states that the fires in question all happened in the last 18 months, and quotes the report as highlighting two crashes that were caused by electrical faults; TWA flight 800, which crashed off New York in 1996, killing 230, and Swissair flight 111, which killed 229 when it crashed off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1998.
Among the British Airways incidents reportedly listed was one which took place on a flight that had just left Heathrow for Kiev, in November 2002. Both pilots were forced to wear oxygen masks after they smelt burning in the cockpit and, afte opening the cockpit door, discovered water pouring from the ceiling.
The flight returned safely to Heathrow but investigations discovered that the fire had started because an engineer had tied a water hose to a bundle of wires. The hose and the wires had reportedly rubbed together, causing sparks, The Times reports.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad
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