Last updated: 23 April 2021
| Status: | Final |
| Date: | Sunday 3 October 1993 |
| Time: | 15:55 |
| Type: |  McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) |
| Operator: | BWIA International |
| Registration: | 9Y-THR |
| MSN: | 49568/1380 |
| First flight: | 1987 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 14657 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 76 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 82 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | near Miami, FL ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America |
| Bridgetown-Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI/TBPB), Barbados | |
| Flightnumber: | 431 |
BWIA flight 431 experienced an explosion in the forward galley during climb to cruise altitude. The airplane was substantially damaged, 1 flight attendant received serious injuries and 1 flight attendant received minor injuries. The flight had originated from Miami, FL, about 15:25 and landed back at there around 16,25 the same day.
Examination of the airplane revealed that a water heater, Nordskog model, had over pressurized and exploded. The entire forward galley and the cabin wall to the cockpit was destroyed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the water heater relay and the overpressure relief valve to operate properly. In addition, the design of the relief valve was inadequate in that it allowed the O-ring to migrate from its normal position preventing the valve from opening."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Forced landing on runway
Sources:
» Air Safety Week 13 December 1993 (p. 10)» Air Safety Week nr.40-1993
» Aviation Week & Space Technology 18 October 1993 (40)
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to Bridgetown-Grantley Adams International Airport as the crow flies is 2577 km (1611 miles).
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to Bridgetown-Grantley Adams International Airport as the crow flies is 2577 km (1611 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
