AAIB investigation to Boeing 777-36, G-STBB
Smoke in cabin due to faulty oven fan unit, En route from London Heathrow Airport to JFK Airport, New York, 24 August 2019.
Summary:
Whilst in the initial part of the cruise, the captain was called by the senior cabin crew member informing him that there was a suspected fire in the aft galley. Shortly afterwards the cabin crew member confirmed that blue smoke was emanating from the oven unit. The cabin crew carried out their fire drill and the flight crew completed the ‘smoke, fire or fumes’ checklist. The flight crew then informed ATC of the event.
After electrically isolating the aft galley the rate of smoke production reduced; however, smoke remained in the area. The captain made the decision to divert to Shannon, where an uneventful overweight landing and disembarkation took place. There were no injuries to any of the passengers.
Examination of the aft galley oven by the operator’s engineers found that an electrical fault in an oven fan unit had caused the smoke. The fan unit was replaced and the aircraft returned to service. No further investigation of the oven fan unit was conducted by the operator.
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