On Saturday, May 11. 1996, about 1415 EDT, a Douglas DC-9-32, N904VJ, operated by Valujet as flight 592, crashed during an uncontrolled descent from 10,000 feet. The 2 flight crewmembers, 2 cabin attendants, and 106 passengers were fatally injured. The weather at the time of the accident was VFR. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The flight was being operated under 14CFR Part 121. The flight departed at 1344 after being delayed because of weather in the Atlanta area. Shortly after takeoff the first officer radioed Miami Approach and requested an immediate return to the airport because of "smoke in the cockpit, smoke in the cabin." During the return to the airport the aircraft crashed in an isolated portion of the Florida Everglades, about 18 miles northwest of the airport. Preliminary examination of the wreckage and interviews with employees of Valujet and a contract maintenance company (Sabretech) indicate that a fire erupted in the forward cargo compartment. Additionally, it was determined that oxygen generators, used in aircraft passenger service unites and classified as "HAZMAT" was on board flight 592 and had been loaded in the forward cargo compartment.