DCA96MA079

Factual narrative

On September 5, 1996, about 0555 edt, Federal Express flight 1406, N68055, made an emergency landing at Newburgh/Stewart International Airport, Newburgh, New York, following a warning of smoke in the cabin. The intended flight was from Memphis, Tennessee, to Boston, Massachusetts. En route, at flight level 330, cockpit warning lights for cargo compartment smoke detectors activated. The Captain declared an emergency, and requested clearance to land at the nearest suitable airport. Stewart airport fire and rescue units were alerted and were standing by when the airplane landed successfully on runway 27. After the airplane was brought to a stop on a high speed taxiway, the 3 flightcrew members and 2 jumpseat crew evacuated using the forward emergency exits and cockpit emergency ropes. The Captain received rope burns to his hands while sliding down his emergency rope. No other injuries were reported. Smoke initially came from the emergency exits and approximately 1 hour after landing a fire broke through the fuselage above the cabin The airplane was at FL 330 when the flightcrew determined that there was smoke in the cabin cargo compartment. An emergency was declared and the flight diverted to Newburgh/Stewart International Airport and landed. The airplane was destroyed by fire after landing. The fire had burned for about 4 hours after after smoke was first detected. Investigation revealed that the deepest and most severe heat and fire damage occurred in and around container 6R, which contained a DNA synthesizer containing flammable liquids. More of 6R's structure was consumed than of any other container, and it was the only container that exhibited severe floor damage. Further, 6R was the only container to exhibit heat damage on its bottom surface, and the area below container 6R showed the most extensive evidence of scorching of the composite flooring material. However, there was insufficient reliable evidence to reach a conclusion as to where the fire originated. The presence of flammable chemicals in the DNA synthesizer was wholly unintended and unknown to the preparer of the package and shipper. The captain did not adequately manage his crew resourses when he failed to call for checklists or to monitor and facilitate the accomplishment of required checklist items. The Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations do not adequately address the need for hazardous materials information on file at a carrier to be quickly retrievable in a format useful to emergency responders. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12