The victims' parents, Kevin and Susan Campbell, did their own research. They proved a short circuit in the wiring was the cause. The electrical glitch commanded the lock to open in flight.
Captain David Cronin successfully landed back at Honolulu International Airport . 🔍 The Investigation Investigators initially blamed ground crew error. They suspected the door was not latched properly.
Are you interested in a summary of another episode from Mayday Season 1? Mayday | Unlocking Disaster | Series 1 Episode 1
Mayday Season 1, Episode 1, titled , covers the explosive decompression of United Airlines Flight 811 on February 24, 1989 . ✈️ The Flight Aircraft : Boeing 747-122 Origin : Honolulu, Hawaii Destination : Auckland, New Zealand Altitude : Approximately 22,000 feet The Incident The forward cargo door latch failed. The door swung open and ripped off. This caused a massive explosive decompression. A huge hole tore open in the fuselage. Five rows of business-class seats were swept out. Nine passengers were swept from the cabin. 🛬 The Recovery Debris damaged the number 3 and 4 engines. The crew shut down both damaged engines. Pilots initiated a daring emergency descent. Flight attendants prepped the cabin for a sea ditching.
This forced a redesign of all Boeing 747 cargo door latches.