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On Feb. 21, 2012, flight PSC123 left the Montreal/Saint-Hubert airport at 9:07 Eastern Standard Time on a chartered flight to Bagotville, Que., with two passengers and two flight crew on board. During the climb out, through 15,400 feet above sea level, the crew noticed very light smoke in the cabin. At 9:28, the flight crew declared an emergency and requested a return to the Montreal/Saint-Hubert Airport. The aircraft touched down at 9:51 on Runway 24R with emergency services in attendance. There were no injuries and there was no fire.
The TSB investigation found that three hot air duct sections carrying air that is bled from the engines to heat the cabin, were melted, collapsed and perforated due to overheating. The air ducts are located under the floor on the right side of the main cabin and the heat escaping from them likely caused the appearance of light smoke in the cabin. This led the Board to conclude that the material employed to manufacture the hot air ducts does not resist the highest temperatures to which they may be exposed under operating conditions and consequently may not have been suitable for this purpose.
Pascan Aviation Inc. has taken steps to address the issues by reminding its maintenance personnel to inspect the hot air ducts and underfloor bleed air line installation closely.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
