Probable cause
The internal failure of the galley heater mat’s thermostat, which resulted in an overheat condition.
NTSB analysis
While in cruise flight, the pilots detected smoke emanating from the galley area. They diverted to an alternate airport and landed without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed that a contact pad inside the galley’s water heater assembly thermostat casing had come loose and wedged between the bimetallic strips, which allowed the heater mat to continue to operate and resulted in an overheat condition.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12IA662 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 21, 2012
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Denver, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Denver International (KDEN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dawn
Canadair Ltd CL-600 Challenger
- N-number
- N125PS
- Category
- Airplane
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.