More History To Those O2 Generators
One other historical document not mentioned in my prior post was a (Danish) AAIB DENM Report 2/96. I had left it out because, unlike the other references with full URL source links, this one is not available. Google searches and a query to the Danish web site and to the Danes have failed to find a URL. And although this 1993 MD-87 incident does have passing references in two FAA Tech Reports and in the TSB’s Swissair flight 111 report, those references only address the newly realized flammability issues of Mylar acoustic insulations which saw AD action 12 years later for removal of all metalized Mylar (MPET) by 2005.
TSB reference Link > > Transportation Safety Board of Canada - AVIATION REPORTS - 1998 - A98H0003
AD reference Link > McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 and MD-90-30 Series
On Nov 24, 1993, SAS MD-87, Reg # SE-DIB incurred a severe fire over the right rear lavatory. Because O2 generators were consumed, the AAIB asked the FAA Tech Center to test these for any possible effects on that fire. From that May 4, 1994 Tech Center response, the AAIB Report (1.19.1.5) concluded that “the generators had only a minor effect on the fire in SE-DIB”. Of the tests, the Tech Center said, “Two tests were conducted using solid oxygen generators. The first test utilized a generator mounted above a pan of jet fuel fire. Over-heating from the fuel fire caused the generator to activate. Intensification of the fuel fire was limited to the immediate area of the discharging oxygen.
In the second test the oxygen generator was placed in a cardboard box containing shredded newspaper. After the box was ignited and burned for a period of time, the generator activated due to the surrounding fire. Again, intensification of the fire was contained to a small local hot spot”.
“Based on these tests, it was concluded that the involvement of a discharged oxygen generator had minimal effect in the SAS MD-87 fire”.