At 1745 Western Standard Time on 29 August 2006, a BAE SYSTEMS
BAe 146-100 (BAe146) aircraft, registered VH-NJE, departed
Ravensthorpe Aerodrome, WA for Perth.
The flight crew recalled noticing a smell on the flight deck as
the aircraft climbed through about FL130, but commented that it was
different from the oil-like smell historically associated with the
operation of the BAe 146, and to the normal smells associated with
the operation of the aircraft's galley. The pilot in command
recalled that, shortly after, there were a number of 'popping
noises' accompanied by a series of bright yellow flashes and some
glowing behind the escape rope panel on the copilot's side of the
flight deck.
Shortly after, the smoke and related symptoms dissipated and the
flight crew donned their emergency oxygen equipment and returned to
the departure aerodrome. The crew stated that the aircraft's
emergency oxygen equipment adversely affected their communication
during the remainder of the flight.
The investigation determined that the aircraft's 'A' windscreen
electrostatic filter had failed. That failure was consistent with
an electrical arcing event.
In response to this and a number of other similar failures in
the UK and in Europe, the aircraft manufacturer undertook a number
of safety actions, including issuing a Service Information Letter
advising operators to check the correct positioning of the
insulation blankets in the vicinity of their aircraft electrostatic
filters at the next available opportunity. The Australian Transport
Safety Bureau has issued two safety recommendations that seek to
reduce the likelihood of electrical arcing events in 'A' windscreen
filters in BAe 146 aircraft.
