N68055

On September 5, 1996, about 0555 edt, Federal Express flight 1406, N68055, made an emergency landing at Newburgh/Stewart International Airport, Newburgh, New York, following a warning of smoke in the cabin. The intended flight was from Memphis, Tennessee, to Boston, Massachusetts. En route, at flight level 330, cockpit warning lights for cargo compartment smoke detectors activated. The Captain declared an emergency, and requested clearance to land at the nearest suitable airport. Stewart airport fire and rescue units were alerted and were standing by when the airplane landed successfully on runway 27. After the airplane was brought to a stop on a high speed taxiway, the 3 flightcrew members and 2 jumpseat crew evacuated using the forward emergency exits and cockpit emergency ropes. The Captain received rope burns to his hands while sliding down his emergency rope. No other injuries were reported. Smoke initially came from the emergency exits and approximately 1 hour after landing a fire broke through the fuselage above the cabin