This report explains the in-flight fire and impact with terrain of ValuJet Airlines flight 592, a DC-9-32, N904VJ, in the Everglades near Miami, Florida, on May 11, 1996. Safety issues discussed in the report include minimization of the hazards posed by fires in class D cargo compartments; equipment, training, and procedures for addressing in-flight smoke and fire aboard air carrier airplanes; guidance for handling of chemical oxygen generators and other hazardous aircraft components; SabreTechαs and ValuJetαs procedures for handling company materials and hazardous materials; ValuJetαs oversight of its contract heavy maintenance facilities; the Federal Aviation Administrationαs (FAA) oversight of ValuJet and ValuJetαs contract maintenance facilities; FAAαs and the Research and Special Programs Administrationαs (RSPA) hazardous materials program and undeclared hazardous materials in the U.S. mail; and ValuJetαs procedures for boarding and accounting for lap children. Safety recommendations concerning these issues were made to the FAA, RSPA, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Air Transport Association.

NTSB/AAR-97/06. PB97-910406. Notation 6704B.