Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
I don't believe that's correct Denny. Last CVR words were about an erroneous fuel flow indication on one of the engine gauges, and the Captain commanding climb power. I don't recall any CVR reference to the scavenge pump. Since the center wing tank was empty, there would have been no reason to activate the scavenge pump, thus no reason to turn it off.
Carl
The NTSB determined that deteriorated wiring allowed arcing within wire bundles which sent power to components located in the center tank. Sections of the aircraft's wiring were found to have been cut by sharp edges on terminating blocks and simply worn in other places.
Bolstering this conclusion were two very brief power interruptions which were captured by signal losses to the CVR just prior to the explosion.
A short from a high amp positive source to a lower capacity positive input probably would not trip a breaker, but could easily cause a power surge sufficient to explain the signals received by the CVR. In the following show, static electricity was enough to set off an explosion in an example center tank.
Swissair 111, Apollo 13, Philippine 737.....
Run up to about 30 minutes ...