SR 111
2 Sep 1998 · System & Design MalfunctionSWISSAIR FLIGHT 111
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 · Swissair · Image: Wikimedia Commons
Why it happened
Entertainment-system wiring ignited a fire
In-flight entertainment wiring
Flammable insulation (MPET)
Smoke/fire checklist
Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
Swissair
Route
New York–JFK (JFK), USA
→ Geneva (GVA), Switzerland
People
229 on board
229 fatalities
Date
2 Sep 1998
Flight crew
Captain: Urs Zimmermann
Category
System & Design Malfunction
When software, sensors and design turn on the crew.
THE STORY
Arcing entertainment-system wiring ignited insulation above the cockpit. Fire ate the instruments one by one; the MD-11 fell into the sea off Nova Scotia.