The investigation found the galley leak was from an overflowing drain after a drain line had been blocked with ice that formed due to an inoperable drain line heater. The water flowed forward and through a decompression panel into the aircraft's main equipment centre before leaking onto three of the aircraft's four generator control units, causing them to malfunction and shut down.
The investigation identified a number of safety issues in regard to the protection of aircraft systems from liquids, and other factors including the provision of information to flight crews. In response, the aircraft manufacturer and operator implemented a number of safety actions intended to prevent a recurrence. In addition, the United States Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to adopt a new airworthiness directive for certain 747-400 and 747-400D series aircraft to install improved water protection. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has issued two safety recommendations and one safety advisory notice as a result of the investigation.
