AAIB investigation to Boeing 747-400, G-BNLW
Heat damage to ground power receptacle during ground power connection, Cape Town International Airport, 5 October 2015.
Summary:
Shortly after connecting ground power smoke was seen to emanate from the Ground Power Unit (GPU). The aircraft’s ground power receptacles and associated wiring sustained heat damage, but there was no degradation of the structural integrity of the aircraft. The most likely cause of the damage was considered to be misalignment of a ground power socket in the aircraft’s receptacle during ground power connection.
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