Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
The existence of an intense fire in the cabin has now been confirmed by the cockpit-voice recorder (CVR) as being a likely cause of the ValuJet McDonnell Douglas DC-9 accident in Florida on 11 May.
Flight- and cabin-crew exchanges indicate that the fire spread to the passenger cabin about 6min after the DC-9-30 left Miami International, bound for Atlanta.
Although battered, the CVR survived the crash and immersion for 15 days in swamp water. US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators say that full analysis of the tape could be difficult because of cockpit background noise, and may contain gaps. Noise filters are being used to amplify the discussion between the pilot and first officer, as well as mechanical sounds on board.
Preliminary analysis indicates that it may ultimately reveal the sound of an explosion and crew members discussing aircraft performance during the final minutes. The flight was routine for 6min after take-off, then the CVR recorded reports of fire and thick black smoke in the passenger cabin. The DC-9 crashed 4min later.
NTSB investigators say that debris recovered from the crash site included a melted aluminum seat-frame - evidence of an intense fire in the passenger cabin. The investigators are trying to determine the exact cabin location of the seat. Other cabin debris was found to be coated with soot.
Source: Flight International
