# NTSB ENG20LA043: Bombardier CL-600-2D24, N561NN, Charlotte, NC, July 24, 2020

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 24, 2020, 08:00 UTC
- Place: Charlotte, NC
- Coordinates: 35.214173, -80.811137
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2142&lon=-80.8111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 30 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Aviation Engineering Division
- Parties: AvTechYee, FAA, PPG, PSA Airlines
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ENG20LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG20LA043

## Probable cause

The windshield failed due to arcing from an inadequate solder connection at the anti-ice power terminal block.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Ice/rain protection system: ice/rain prot sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023097): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause)

## Analysis

The arcing/overheating of the braid wire caused the fire event in the cockpit. Removal of the terminal block and sealant revealed an arcing hot spot where the failure occurred at power braid wire position A. There was no visible solder at the connection point of braid wire A, which led to the arcing of the power braid wire and the fire event in the cockpit.

## Factual narrative

The damaged left side windshield (P/N NP139321-17 S/N 18338H6714) from N561NN was removed from the airplane and shipped to PPG Aerospace in Huntsville, Alabama. PPG examined the window in November 2020. The windshield serial number indicated that the windshield was a new unit and was completed in December of 2018. The subject windshield was installed on N561NN and had accumulated 3238.53 flight hours and 2870 flight cycles. PPG Aerospace completed manufacture of the window in December 2018. A teardown of the unit identified the failure origin underneath the power terminal block at the power braid A location. Removal of the terminal block and sealant revealed an arcing hot spot where the failure occurred at power braid wire position A. There was no visible solder at the connection point of braid wire A. The braid wire solder connection point at position B was still intact.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N561NN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N561NN), registered now, S/N 15346, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOMBARDIER INC CL-600-2D24 (900)
- Registry model: [Bombardier CL-600-2D24](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-cl-600-2d24) (registry code 1390016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE CF34-8C5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf34-8c5) (registry code 30050, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15346
- Year built: 2014
- Engines: GE CF34-8C5 14510 lbs thrust turbo fan; GE CF34-8C5 14510 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: PSA Airlines
- Registered owner: American Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: HPN, White Plains, NY
- Destination: CLT, Charlotte, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CLT, Charlotte/Douglas Intl

## Weather

- Conditions: Dawn

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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