NTSB INVESTIGATING CAUSE OF SMOKE IN COCKPIT ON FLIGHT OVER ATLANTIC OCEAN

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

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                       NTSB ADVISORY
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

February 1, 2008

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NTSB INVESTIGATING CAUSE OF SMOKE IN COCKPIT ON FLIGHT OVER 
ATLANTIC OCEAN

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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an 
incident that occurred on January 30, 2008, in which an 
American Airlines B757-200, en route from San Juan, Puerto 
Rico to Philadelphia, diverted to West Palm Beach, Florida, 
and made an emergency landing after the cockpit filled with 
smoke.

Of the 139 passengers and 7 crewmembers, several were 
transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation.  All have 
since been released.  No other injuries were reported.  

According to reports from the crew, while at cruise altitude 
over the Atlantic Ocean, smoke began emanating from the 
window heating system connected to the first officer's 
windshield.  The crew donned oxygen masks and smoke goggles 
and diverted to Palm Beach International Airport.  During 
the descent to land, the inner pane of the first officer's 
windshield shattered.  The crew continued the descent and 
landed without further incident.

The digital flight data recorder (DFDR) was downloaded and 
sent to the NTSB laboratories in Washington.  The affected 
windshield, which remained in one piece, and the heating 
unit were removed from the aircraft and will undergo a 
detailed analysis.

While the cause of this particular incident is unknown and 
remains under investigation, the NTSB is aware of five 
events between 2004 and 2006 in which smoke, and in some 
cases fire, were reported to have originated from window 
heating systems in B-757 aircraft.  

Based on these incidents, in September 2007 the NTSB issued 
two Safety Recommendations to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) asking the agency to require the 
installation of redesigned window heating systems in all 
Boeing 747, 757, 767, and 777 series aircraft.  These Safety 
Recommendations have yet to be implemented by the FAA.

The Safety Recommendations are available at 
http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2007/A07_49_50.pdf

View of cracked windshield from inside flight deck
http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2008/images/AA-757-cockpit.jpg

Heating unit on affected windshield
http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2008/images/AA-757-
heater_block.jpg

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NTSB Media Contact:
Peter Knudson
(202) 314-6100
peter.knudson@xxxxxxxx


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