Source: Simon Hradecky | www.avherald.com
A Pel-Air Saab 340A freighter on behalf REX Regional Express, registration VH-KDK performing freight flight ZL-9982 from Wagga-Wagga,NS to Charleville,QL (Australia), was enroute at FL220 about 70nm northwest of Cobar,NS (Australia) when the crew received a smoke indication on board of the aircraft followed shortly by smoke appearing in the cabin and cockpit. The crew performed an emergency descent to 6000 feet, turned around and diverted to Cobar and landed on Cobar’s runway 23 about 14 minutes (!) after leaving FL220. Emergency services needed to dismantle parts of the aircraft to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage however.
Cobar Fire Fighters reported:
Today our crew responded to an incident at the Cobar Airport where an aircraft carrying freight had to make an emergency landing.
A smoke indicator alerted the pilots of smoke onboard and shortly after, the cabin started filling with smoke. Crews arrived to find smoke issuing from the right side of the aircraft under the wing area.
Fire and Rescue crews quickly got to work dismantling the plane to locate the source of the fire and extinguish. The batteries were quickly isolated as initially thought it was caused by an electrical harness.
After a second inspection inside the aircraft it was found to have significant damage to the flooring in which the fire had started. The floor was removed and checked for further signs of heat and determined safe, the aircraft was secured, ventilated and the site handed over to airport staff.
Excellent job by all involved, the quick action by firefighters and aircraft crew prevented total loss of the aircraft.
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