Date: 201511
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B747 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: PFD
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We were starting a descent from 6000 on downwind to the right runway. After scanning for traffic I noticed my PFD was blank (I was conducting a Captain IOE from the FO seat). I was turning the rheostat up when smoke starting coming out of the top of the PFD frame. I handed the QRH back to the relief pilot and pulled my oxygen mask out. Then a loud crackling noise similar to shattering glass filled the cockpit and sparks were seen behind the PFD and around the frame. The Captain instructed me to advise ATC and get an immediate approach clearance. ATC gave us priority handling and we landed within about 8 minutes.


Second narrative: While on base leg for the visual approach; the First Officer's Navigation Display went completely dark with an associated loud 'pop' noise. This was shortly followed by an acrid electrical smell and smoke coming from under the glare shield above his Primary Flight Display. I was in the Captain's seat and was the flying pilot. The circuit breaker (I believe it was the one for the First Officer Navigation Display but I do not remember precisely which one it was) on the overhead circuit breaker panel tripped after about a minute; and about 2 to 3 minutes later the smoke began to dissipate. The smoke was grayish white and about the consistency of what a heavy smoker would breathe out in three or four strong puffs. The acrid smell persisted for the remainder of the flight until landing. The landing was uneventful and we continued off the right runway and across the left. As the fire no longer seemed to continue we elected not to evacuate after landing. We continued to taxi and held while waiting for a gate. While holding for a gate we communicated with the Airport Fire Department and indicated we felt our status was stable and the fire seemed to be out. I believe they decided to have a fire truck follow us to the gate as a precaution. After parking at the gate we were joined in the cockpit by representatives of Maintenance; the Airport Fire Department; and a Boeing Technical Representative who happened to be on sight.


Synopsis: B747 flight crew experienced a failure of the First Officer's PFD during approach that was accompanied by loud arcing sounds and copious amounts of smoke. Within a minute the PFD circuit breaker tripped and the smoke began to dissipate. A normal landing ensued.