20030304002439I

(-23) On March 4, 2003, delta airlines flight 1172 (N647DL) departed Seattle international airport on a revenue flight to salt lake city. Several minutes into the flight, climbing through 14,800', a flight attendant reported smoke in the cabin to the pilot in command. The flight attendant further reported flames emitting from the video control unit located right side mid-cabin and a loud bang in the mid-cabin area. During this timeframe the pilot noticed mild rudder and pitch inputs. The pilot declared an emergency and the aircraft was turned back to Seattle. Circuit breakers were pulled for the entertainment system, smoke and alleged fire of the video control unit extinguished. Cabin fire extinguisher was not required, however, the fire extinguisher was removed from its holder and was ready for use. The pilot also reported numerous indication lights illuminated including the leading and trailing edge lights, right auto-pilot, control wheel steering and landing gear indication lights. Two attemps to engage left autopilot resulted in a slight pitch-up followed autopilot disengage. During block-in pilot noticed right indicator light circuit breaker popped and auto-throttles not functioning properly. Passengers disembarked the aircraft using jet way; emergency evacuation was not executed. No reports of passengers requiring medical assistance. Pilots debriefed delta airlines maintenance in Seattle and logbook entries were made. Delta maintenance removed the video control unit (part # 257010529, serial # 10051) due to severe internal overheat damage in addition to the burnt video annunciator light assembly (part # BCRER855-1) on the P-11 panel. The video control unit and video annunciator light assembly were replaced. Inspection of the video control center did not reveal evidence of smoke or fire residue. The alleged fire appeared to have been contained in the video control unit. Also, the electrical short that damaged the annunciator light assembly did not cause significant collateral damage to components, material or structure. Checks were performed on the autopilot system, flaps and slats, entertainment system, and pressurization system. Aircraft was pressurized to 6 PSI and cabin pressure controller checked good. Additionally, wiring was inspected behind P-11-1 and P-11-2 circuit breaker panels and the P-5 panel and no damage was noted. Video control center rack connectors were inspected and no damage noted. The entertainment system checked good with the replaced video control unit and annunciator light assembly, however, the system was de-activated and placarded as a precautionary measure. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorders were removed from the aircraft and replaced as an additional precautionary measure to preserve the data. Seattle maintenance also replaced circuit cards M-10266 and M-10267 at the request of delta maintenance control. The damaged video control box and annunciator light were tagged and routed to delta's main maintenance facilities in atlanta for evaluation. Delta airlines FAA principal avionics inspector, nick pearson, is aware of this incident and had been briefed as to our findings. Mr. Pearson noted he will follow-up on the incident. The aircraft was returned for service in Seattle on March 4, 2003, and departed to cincinnati (cvg) on March 5, 2003, and landed with no maintenance write-ups.