Cargo on UPS Plane May Have Caught Fire

Authorities say a fire may have broken out in the cargo compartment of the UPS plane that crashed in Dubai last week, according to published reports.

Crash investigators are trying to identify which type of cargo was located near the starboard wing of the three-year-old 747-400 freighter and are trying to determine if lithium batteries were present on the flight, according to report by The Associated Press.

The batteries, used in common electronics, can catch on fire or explode when overheated and have been blamed for several incidents on aircraft in recent years.

Investigators were able to recover the black box of the plane, which crashed into an unpopulated area of military compound about 10 miles from the Dubai International Airport on Friday. Witnesses reported seeing a fiery explosion on impact.

According to the general manager of Dubai's Civil Aviation Authority, one of the crew members "reported fire and smoke in the cockpit." The plane apparently was trying to return to the airport when the freighter went down.

The two pilots, now confirmed as Captain Doug Lampe of Louisville, Ky., and First Officer Matthew Bell of Sanford, Fla., were killed in the crash.

UPS CEO Scott Davis released a statement today on behalf of the company.

“This is a terrible tragedy, and all of us at UPS extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of both of these crewmembers," Davis said. "Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with them during this difficult time."

According to reports, the National Transportation Safety Board will be assisting in the investigation with the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates in Dubai. UPS said that it will continue to cooperate with authorities on the investigation and sent a team of representatives to Dubai.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there were 113 incidents on both cargo and passenger planes between 1991 and early 2010 involving “smoke, fire, extreme heat or explosion” due to lithium batteries or equipment that uses them.

The Transportation Department in January called for stricter rules for shipping lithium batteries on cargo flights.

--Contact Dana L. Brundage at dbrundage@joc.com.