Swissair Flight 111 Summary

Flight Overview

• Date: September 2, 1998
• Route: New York (JFK) to Geneva, Switzerland
• Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas MD-11
• Operator: Swissair
• Total on board: 229 (215 passengers, 14 crew)

Timeline of the Accident

• 22:18 UTC: Take off from JFK
• 23:14 UTC: Smoke Detected in Cockpit
• 23:18 UTC: Diversion requested to Halifax
• 23:31 UTC: Last Radio Contact
• 23:33 UTC: Crashed into Atlantic Ocean

Crash Site and Impact

• Location: Near Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia
• Crash Speed: ~350 knots
• Impact: no survivors
• Extensive debris field; deep water recovery needed

Cause of Crash

• Source: Electrical wiring near flammable MPET insulation
• Fire started in the cockpit ceiling area
• Possibly linked to in-flight entertainment system wiring

Avionics System Failures

• Autopilot and flight instruments failed
• Electrical systems lost
• Fire damaged wiring bundle
• Both black boxes (CVR and FDR) stopped recording before impact

Crew Response

• Tried to dump fuel for emergency landing
• Fire spread faster than expected
• Lost control due to systems failure
• Prioritized checklist procedures over immediate descent

Casualties

• Total fatalities: 229
• Nationalities: Passengers from over 40 countries
• Many victims from Switzerland, USA, Canada
• No survivors

Findings

• IFEN wiring arc, Highly flammable MPET (Metalized polyethylene terephthalate)
• Transportation Safety Board of Canada Investigation
• Inability to control the fire

Safety Improvements

• Changes in aircraft wiring material standards
• Upgraded smoke/fire detection systems
• Stricter certification for non- essential systems
• Improved crew training for onboard fires

Conclusion

• Swissair 111 emphasized dangers of onboard fire and system failure
• Major changes in aviation safety followed
• A somber reminder of the importance of avionics safety