Lecture Notes: Air Canada Flight 797 Incident

Introduction

• Date of Incident: June 2, 1983
• Flight Details: Air Canada Flight 797, DC-9 aircraft
• Route: Dallas, Texas to Montreal, with stopover in Toronto
• Crew: Captain Donald Cameron, First Officer Claude We Met
• Passengers: 41 passengers, notable passenger: musician Stan Rogers

Initial Incident

• Trigger Event: Circuit breakers for the flushing motor in the toilet popped
• Initial Assumption: Non-emergency, thought to be a clogged toilet
• Development of Smoke: Smoke detected emanating from the washroom
• Crew Response: Attempt to use fire extinguisher, initially believed to be under control

Escalation of Situation

• Electrical Failures: Master warning light activates, multiple electrical systems begin to fail
• Communication with Ground: Contacted Memphis Center, then Louisville Control, declared mayday
• Decision to Land: Emergency descent required, aimed for Cincinnati

Onboard Conditions

• Smoke Invasion: Thick, toxic smoke filled the cabin, limited visibility, difficult breathing
• Passenger Reactions: Attempts to conserve oxygen, advice from fellow passengers
• Flight Crew Actions: Attempted to reassure passengers, difficulty moving through smoke

Landing and Evacuation

• Descent and Landing: Managed to land at Cincinnati, dense smoke still present
• Evacuation Challenges: Smoke and heat made evacuation difficult, not all passengers escaped
• Immediate Consequence: Flashover occurred 90 seconds after landing, igniting the cabin

Investigation

• Initial Findings: No signs of terrorism, suspected electrical issue
• Potential Causes Explored: Cigarette in the washroom, previous aircraft accidents and repairs
• Conclusion: Precise cause of fire unknown, potential electrical arcing
• Contributing Factors: Accumulation of smoke and gases, flashover after opening doors

Safety and Regulatory Changes

• Recommendations by NTSB: Smoke detectors in lavatories, improved training and equipment for flight attendants
• Aircraft Design Changes: Track lighting for exits, better fire-resistant materials
• Industry Response: Changes implemented post-incident for improved passenger safety

Personal Accounts and Impact

• Survivor Experiences: Emotional and physical impact, guilt over survival
• Legacy of Victims: Notable figures such as Stan Rogers remembered
• Crew Recognition: Crew received awards for their actions, but still haunted by the event

Conclusion

• The Air Canada Flight 797 incident highlighted critical safety gaps in aircraft fire response, leading to significant regulatory changes and emphasizing the importance of crew training in emergency situations. The tragedy also had a profound personal impact on those involved and on the families of the victims.