Federal Express DC-10 Fire Investigation

The Federal Express DC-10 Fire in September 1996 led to litigation against an equipment manufacturer as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) traced the fire to the compartment which contained this equipment.  The experts who conducted an independent investigation determined that the NTSB’s conclusions were incorrect - the NTSB changed its finding.  This presentation utilizes a recently-completed insurance cost recovery case to discuss fire cause and origin investigation techniques as well as an introduction to working with (and against) the NTSB.

1. Introduction
   1. Flight 1406, Memphis to Boston
   2. September 5, 1996, 5:30 am
2. Background to the accident
3. Background of fire spread after plane landed in NY
4. NTSB investigation
   1. 16 smoke detectors in cargo cabin
   2. NTSB focused their investigation on container 6R as origin area
5. NTSB findings
6. Litigation and independent investigation
7. Inspection of the DC-10 aircraft and cargo containers
8. Review/analysis of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
9. Review/analysis of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
10. Review of video of the burning aircraft
11. Independent findings
12. Conclusion
13. The NTSBís ìfindingsî are not supported by the early evidence, or the early stages of the fire on the ground.† NTSB amends report.