AAIU report into G-VELD

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport has published a preliminary incident report into the diversion of flight VIR 039 to Shannon on January 11. The flight, operated by A340-600 G-VELD was 140 miles west of Galway when the crew noted a small fire in the bottom of the waste bin storage compartment of the bar unit in the First class section. The crew noted that a damaged electrical cable appeared to be arcing in the hole.

The crew turned off the commercial and galley power circuits but the arcing and flames persisted. The Captain declared an emergency and the aircraft diverted to Shannon landing just before 1 pm. During the diversion the crew used five 1kg BCF fire extinguishers which subdued the flames but the arcing continued. After each application the fire restarted after approximately five minutes. After the aircraft landed the Shannon Airport Fire Service discharged a 5kg BCF fire extinguisher into the fire but the glow at the bottom of the hole persisted. Following consultation between the Fire Crew Watch Leader and the crew the aircraft was depowered at which stage no further arcing was observed. 

Subsequent investigation found that the wiring loom which carries power to 'mood lighting' around the bar counter top had been severed. The bar unit installation was specific to Virgin Atlantic and had been fitted three years ago. Installation drawings showed that two rails should been fitted to prevent the bottom of the bin touching the wiring loom which should also have had a protective cover fitted. No evidence was found which would support the theory that the rails and cover had ever been fitted. A fleet inspection of Virgin's A340-300 and A340-600 aircraft found that a number of aircraft had issues relating to the rails and loom cover and in one instance damage to the loom was discovered.

While the cause of the incident has been determined significant other issues relating to crew checklists, the difficulty in isolating the damaged circuit and the design and standard of the modification continue to be investigated. The final report will be issued in due course.

One aspect of the incident after the aircraft arrived at Shannon on January 11 were numerous conflicting reports in the media as to whether there had in fact been a fire on board the aircraft.