http://www.nbc10.com/news/6831768/detail.html#
Our first hull loss.
The crew is OK.

Kudos to the crew for getting her on the ground and stopped like they did. I heard the landing distance was under 3500' ? That's great work! It sucks that we lost an -8, but we didn't lose any fellow crewmembers, and that's the best news. All things considered, this story could have been so much worse.

Good job guys! Glad to here you're alright and safe!

Glad to hear the crew is OK, and sounds like they did an outstanding job with the emergency. Funny how fire motivates humans.

I (along with everyone I'm sure) will be very interested to hear if the fire was caused by dangerous goods. In my experience properly packaged, labeled, and declared Dangerous Goods are safe....it's that UNDECLARED shipment that will kill you.

The obvious question is how do protect against the undeclared illegal shipment? This is an area where the need for profit is in direct competition with the need for safety.

If there is an upside to this event, maybe it means another 747-400 hull

If it is undeclared goods, I would think and hope that UPS goes after them.

I was just curious if cargo or any other large transport aircraft were equipped with smoke detectors inside the fusalage? Other than maybe in the lav?

Willi364,

You would think that all airplanes would be equipped with smoke detection and protection. Just the passenger airplanes have both (and the newer cargo planes). The older cargo planes just have detection both on the main deck and lower deck. Maybe now the older ones will get protection. Wouldn't that be nice!

BTW, I think the crew did an outstanding job! Way to keep calm under pressure.

Aircraft can always be replaced. I'm glad to hear that the crew made it out. Looks like they did a fine job handling the situation!

I taxied out behind a DC-8 in ATL one night when the crew smelled smoke. The declared an emergency and bailed. I remember thinking as we sat right behind them "we have no where to go." There is never a lot of hesitation when you smell smoke. But on the ground has to be the best place to smell it.

I tried to paste a few pictures but can't figure out how.

Nick

FedEx is developing a new upper deck fire protection system. I know it is planned for the entire MD fleet but I can't speak to the other aircraft types. While it has yet to be approved it is pretty well down the road with respect to developement and testing. There are some wrinkles to be ironed out, especially with regard to palletized freight and palletized hazmat, but at least they're actively working on it.