Virgin aircraft had vital parts missing
Investigators have uncovered a possible design fault with some Virgin Atlantic aircraft after an incident last month where a Virgin aircraft made an emergency landing at Shannon when a fire broke out onboard.
On January 11th, cabin crew on board Virgin flight VS039 Heathrow to Chicago discovered a fire in a waste bin storeage compartment underneath the bar in first class. The fire was located in a hole in the floor underneath the bar.
The fire continued to re-light when crew used a fire extinguisher. When turning off commercial circuits and power to the galley failed to quench the fire, the pilot declared an emergency and diverted to Shannon.
30 minutes later, fire crews tried to put the fire out without success. It was then decided to cut the power from the entire aircraft. This did the trick.
The preliminary report into the incident by the Air Accident Investigation Unit found that a wiring loom underneath the compartment had been completely severed and it’s covering was missing. The fire was being caused as the wiring was arcing.
“No evidence of the presence of the loom cover or rails was found. Initial inspection indicated the possibility that they were never fitted.” the report stated.
The findings of the report prompted an investigation into 36 other aircraft in the Virgin fleet were carried out. UK media reports state that four aircraft were found to have defective wiring which controlled lighting in the bar area.
The defects in these aircraft has since been repaired, but the AAIU investigation continues.
“While the cause of the wiring damage to this aircraft has been determined, significant other issues are being examined by the investigation,” the report concluded.