Probable cause
The cause of the right wing landing light switch fire is undetermined.
NTSB analysis
The MD-88 declared an emergency and returned to the departure airport after the crew smelled an electrical odor during the climb to cruise. After landing the crew observed small flames emanating from the Captain’s side of the glareshield. A maintenance inspection revealed that the right wing landing light switch displayed evidence of severe heat damage and no other source for the fire could be identified. No anomalies with respect to switch installation were noted by the personnel who removed the switch. The “Right Wing Landing Light” (B1-15) and “Right Wing Landing Light Control” (B1-16) circuit breakers were also found to be open following the event.
A Systems Group was formed and the Group examined the switch at the Eaton facility in Milwaukee, WI. The switch was severely fire damaged with the greatest amount of thermal damage and contact degradation occurring at the B1 contact. The cause of the switch fire could not be determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ENG10IA041 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 18, 2010
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int (ATL)
- Highest injury
- None
Mcdonnell Douglas Aircraft Co MD-88
- N-number
- N990DL
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
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.