In-Flight Fire

In-Flight FirethePilot’s PerspectiveSurvive, Suppress, Access, Detect, Prevent
Captain Thomas J. PhillipsAirline Pilots Association, InternationalLisbon, PortugalNovember 16, 2004
In-Flight Fire
Prevent
Detect
SURVIVE
Suppress
Access
Protection
ElectricalArc FaultInsulationCompositeSupplemental Type Certificate
Prevent
Detect
SURVIVE
Suppress
Access
Identify



160:1
FWD

FWD
International Aircraft and Cabin Safety Research Conference November 17th, 1998
AFT
In-Flight Fire

International Aircraft and Cabin Safety Research Conference November 17th, 1998
Message: FWD or AFT CARGO FIRE1. Cargo Fire Switch (FWD/AFT)………..ARMED2. #1 Cargo Fire BTL DISCH Switch……Push, hold for 1 second3. Proceed to nearest suitable airport for landing
CARGO FIRE
FWD
AFT
“suitable”
In-Flight Fire

FWD

International Aircraft and Cabin Safety Research Conference November 17th, 1998
Detection
Cockpit Overhead Region GalleyFirst Class Galley OverheadCargoAvionics Compartment
Detection
Lick/StickWire/Gas analysisIR
Detection
Silent Knight 5207 Fire Alarm Control/CommunicatorEight zones6 Style A (class B)2 Style D (class A)8 Expander Zones are Style A (class B).
Prevent
Detect
SURVIVE
Suppress
Access
Access
Within CockpitBehind CB panelCabin Area
MD 82 November 29, 2000
MD-82 with 61 passengers and 5 crewAfter takeoff, flight attendants saw a flash of light and heard a “boom.”Lead flight attendant saw smoke coming from fluorescent light fixture, and pulled the breaker.Another flight attendant saw dark, dense smoke coming from ceiling panels above rows 7 and 8.Ceiling panels began to blister and turn yellow.
Access
Prevent
Detect
SURVIVE
Access
Suppress
Suppress
Halon extinguishersHalon Distribution SystemAccess Ports
Prevent
Detect
SURVIVE
Suppress
Access
Survive
Crew ProtectionO221 minutesProceduresTraining
-note-Consider Diversion to Nearest Airport
DIVERT IMMEDIATELY
Electrical
Air Cond
LAND IMMEDIATELY
“IFALPA believes that whenever smoke or odor of an unknown source appears in the aircraft, the smoke and fire fighting operating proceduresshouldreflect the need to prepare to land the aircraft expeditiously, within a time frame that will minimize the possibility of an in-flight fire being ignited or sustained.”
DRAFT
DRAFT
O2Masks & Smoke Goggles(as required)
Crew Communications
Initial Steps
-note-Consider Diversion to Nearest Airport
-Time permitting- Additional source identification steps- ACCOMPLISH
DIVERT IMMEDIATELY
Electrical
Air Cond
Materialsl
LAND IMMEDIATELY
If Source Not Eliminated
In-Flight Fire
Prevent
Detect
SURVIVE
Suppress
Access
In-Flight Fire
SURVIVE
Suppress
Prevent
Detect
Access