Test video shows oxygen canisters sparking intense fire

November 19, 1996
Web posted at: 4:40 p.m. EST

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SabreTech objects to NTSB tests
Crew didn't question canisters
NTSB: SabreTech testimony not needed
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MIAMI (CNN) -- The families of the victims of ValuJet Flight 592 sat in stunned silence at federal hearings Tuesday as an expert showed a videotape of oxygen-generating canisters bursting into bright flames.

The video showed two tests in which the activated oxygen generators ignite the packing around them in a simulation of what may have happened on the DC-9 that crashed May 11 into the Florida Everglades shortly after takeoff, killing all 110 people on board. (excerpts from the fire test - 1.7M/47 sec. QuickTime movie)

While no official cause of the crash has been identified, the mislabeled canisters, which actually contained oxygen-making chemicals, are suspected of starting a fire in the plane's cargo hold.

As the video was shown at the second day of National Transportation Safety Board hearings into the disaster, Merritt Birky, an NTSB expert, described his experiments.

Each time, flames flared up and a rushing sound could be heard as oxygen escaped from the canisters. The flames reached a temperature of 3,000 degrees in the test chamber, Birky said.

The first test involved only the canisters wrapped in plastic bubble wrap and packed in cardboard boxes. The canisters took five to seven minutes to ignite the packing, Birky said.

In the second test, baggage and airline tires were packed alongside cardboard boxes filled with canisters. Flames burned white hot nearest the boxes while the luggage, quickly enveloped in yellow flames, gave off thick black smoke. The test ended with a tire exploding in a shower of sparks and flame.

As the video ended, family members sat silently, their faces immobile. Some could be seen wiping tears from their eyes.

SabreTech objects to NTSB tests

SabreTech, the company that performed maintenance on ValuJet planes in Miami, distributed a letter during a break Tuesday, stating the company's objections to the NTSB tests and to the showing of the videotape.

The tests were "not representative of the conditions that may have existed on ValuJet Flight 592 on May 11, 1996," the company said.

When the hearing resumed, NTSB member John Goglia chastised SabreTech, saying the release of the letter, written to the NTSB's chief negotiator Greg Feith, was inappropriate.

Crew didn't question canisters

Earlier, the lead ramp agent for ValuJet Flight 592 testified he had no misgivings about shipping oxygen canisters on the plane, because the shipping labels indicated the containers were empty.

Although shipping such potentially flammable material was not allowed on ValuJet planes, Christopher Ramkissoon said his curiosity wasn't aroused because the label said the canisters were empty and they were not marked as hazardous material.

(119K/10 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

The canisters can generate heat up to 500 degrees when they are triggered to provide oxygen to passenger emergency masks. The containers on Flight 592 were being shipped to ValuJet's Atlanta headquarters and were not for use on the plane.

Ramkissoon said he showed the shipping ticket to the flight crew before the plane took off and that no questions were asked. Five boxes containing 144 metal canisters were packed in white cardboard boxes, Ramkissoon said.

Dennis Segarra, another ValuJet ramp agent, testified that when he placed the boxes on top of the tires in the cargo hold, he heard a metallic-sounding clinking noise. He said he wedged the boxes so they wouldn't move.

Jostling during flight could have activated the canisters, according to experts.

NTSB: SabreTech testimony not needed

The SabreTech mechanics who handled the canisters and the stock clerk who boxed them for shipping have declined to testify at the hearing, citing Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

Goglia said the SabreTech workers had cooperated extensively with investigators and their testimony was not necessary.

Correspondent Susan Candiotti contributed to this report.

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