Investigators are trying to determine whether the avionics bay on the Boeing 747 is adequately protected from potential water ingress after a Qantas aircraft lost electrical power while on descent into Bangkok on 7 January.
Qantas says initial investigations determined that water in a generator control unit led to the loss of electrical power, which occurred around 15min from Bangkok while the aircraft was operating a flight from London Heathrow. The electrical power loss resulted in an emergency backup system being activated before the aircraft landed safely.
The Oneworld alliance carrier has not officially revealed the source of the water, but Australian media reports say it was a cracked drip tray under the first-class galley of the 747-400. The water had reportedly accummulated in the drip tray from a blocked drain.
Qantas executive general manager engineering David Cox is quoted by The Australian newspaper saying: "It was just like tipping a glass of water into your stereo. It is not a good thing for that sort of equipment to have happen to it."
He adds that the electrical power loss occurred when the aircraft was at an altitude of 15,000ft (4,570m). He says what are being looked at now aare "the steps we need to take to stop that water getting in there again" and ways to "protect the avionics better".
The airline inspected all its other 747-400s after the incident and all were cleared to continue flying. It said that Boeing would be notifying all other 747-400 operators of the highly unusual event, which the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has classified as a "serious incident".
Source: Flight International
