The Department of Transportation imposed an emergency ban on the shipment of oxygen canisters after the crash. During tests this month at a Federal Aviation Administration facility in New Jersey, oxygen canisters similar to those packed on Flight 592 were ignited and quickly reached temperatures of well over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It remains unclear whether the fire ignited before or after takeoff. As previously revealed from the cockpit voice recorder, smoke and fire in the passenger cabin were reported about six minutes after the DC-9 left Miami International Airport. About three minutes after fire was discovered, the plane nose-dived into the Everglades.
Sources say the blaze burned through the jet's flight control cables that help steer the aircraft.
The cables run the length of the aircraft above the front cargo bay where the fire erupted. CNN has learned the NTSB will also re-issue recommendations that smoke detectors and fire suppression systems be installed in all Class D aircraft. On Thursday, the FAA announced it was in the process of writing a rule to mandate those systems. Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you.