- Date
- January 3, 1992, 13:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place
- Denver, CO
- Injuries
- 127 uninjured
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N343UABoeing 737-300
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 16, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920103002519I
- Case key
- 18168
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the incident.
On this page
Probable cause
An electrical short circuit in a main wire bundle due to chafing of the bundle on airframe structural members.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During climb, the crew noted an electrical arcing sound and slight electrical-type burning odor while passing through flight level 180. Emergency procedures were complied with and the problem appeared to be solved. The climb was continued, and while passing through flight level 330 a loud arcing sound was again heard accompanied by flames from the flight deck aft overhead panel. The flight attendants extinguished the fire, and the flight returned to Denver and landed without further incident. Examination disclosed a short in a wire bundle. The bundle was not shielded or anchored as the other major bundle in the compartment. The short was due to the bundle chafing on the flight deck entry door frame. In addition, testing revealed that the wire gauge used in part of this application was insufficient for the electrical load.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N343UA
- Reported as
- Boeing 737-300
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 24247
- Airframe hours
- 6,974
- Engine
- GE CFM 56, 20,000 lbs thrust, turbo fan
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Fire
- In-Flight
- Flight
- Part 121
- Operator
- United Airlines
- Registered owner
- United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Transport
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · March 5, 1991 · 2,731 hours before
- Destination
- LAS · Las Vegas, NV
- Flight plan
- IFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 48
- Certificate
- Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine sea, Single-engine sea, Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 6,673 total · 1,399 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 48 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.