Guitarmaster Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 Since one of our pilots at work was severely burned when his Lancair caught fire in flight, it got me thinking about my own airplane. Has anyone installed a fire extinguisher? What type? What location? Some in the experimental world are piping a port through the firewall as a way to fight an engine fire before it reaches the cabin. Thoughts? I like the idea. I wonder if there would be a way to do it on a certified airplane. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
DonMuncy Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 I have a 1.3 lb Halon extinguisher, mounted with super Velcro between the rear seats in my 231. However, I suspect I (we) am (are) deluding ourselves to a large extent. On any one of the crashes with a fuel tank fire, I suspect my little extinguisher would be like spitting in the ocean. Maybe for a small under dash fire it may be of some use.
ArtVandelay Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 Since one of our pilots at work was severely burned when his Lancair caught fire in flight, it got me thinking about my own airplane. Has anyone installed a fire extinguisher? What type? What location? Some in the experimental world are piping a port through the firewall as a way to fight an engine fire before it reaches the cabin. Thoughts? I like the idea. I wonder if there would be a way to do it on a certified airplane. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Yes, HG100R (Halon H3R), mounted on the middle of the rear seat, on the floor. 1
Guitarmaster Posted October 29, 2014 Author Report Posted October 29, 2014 I have a 1.3 lb Halon extinguisher, mounted with super Velcro between the rear seats in my 231. However, I suspect I (we) am (are) deluding ourselves to a large extent. On any one of the crashes with a fuel tank fire, I suspect my little extinguisher would be like spitting in the ocean. Maybe for a small under dash fire it may be of some use. I was thinking more of stopping a small fire under the dash before it turned really ugly. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1
Ned Gravel Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 Strange. An extinguisher is a mandatory item for all Canadian aircraft, I believe. Ned Gravel Lucky steward of C-FSWR, a '65 E model at Rockcliffe, Ontario, (CYRO) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
jetdriven Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 I'm not sure how much of his injuries were from fire in flight or the fire that erupted after the crash landing.
N201MKTurbo Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 I'm more of a CB my halon bottle is just in the passenger seat back pocket. I think I could get it in 2 sec. 1
carusoam Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 For fire in the engine compartment, there is a procedure for that... Briefly...turn off fuel, aim towards earth, slow as you approach Vne... You are now a glider, just not a flaming one. At annual check all fuel lines and exhaust systems. If this is regarding crashes and broken fuel tanks, see the USA Today article for fluff.... Seek the advice of your flight instructor. I am only a PP. The O has a compartment for the halon canister under the back seat. Best regards, -a- 1
Guest Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 Strange. An extinguisher is a mandatory item for all Canadian aircraft, I believe. Ned Gravel Lucky steward of C-FSWR, a '65 E model at Rockcliffe, Ontario, (CYRO) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Ned, You are correct, it is required for all Canadian aircraft and must be mounted in a metal mounting bracket secured to the aircraft, accessable to the pilot. It must be of suitable size for the aircraft size. Clarence
PTK Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 The A600 on the floor in the recess in front of the spar behind pax feet, (where Mooney put them.) Good to have for a small fire I guess. Better than not having one.
N601RX Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 An Inflight fire would be terrifying, but are not that common. I think a much more common fire, is after a loss of control landing of forced landing off airport. In these situations the person is injured or stunned to the point they are unable to make a quick exit from the plane. In this situation shoulder harnesses or airbag will be much more efficient in preventing burns than a fire extinguisher. 1
1964-M20E Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 I often wondered why you do not see more cases where a fixed fire extinguisher is mounted and piped to the engine compartment that can be deployed to take care of an engine fire. Turning off the fuel supply, closing cabin vents and a quick decent are good first steps to extinguish the fire but if it is oil related you still have fuel for the fire. Another reason to treat us as experimental aircraft for private use if elected by the owner.
cliffy Posted October 29, 2014 Report Posted October 29, 2014 The problem with fire fighting out in the engine compartment is the volume of air moving through the cowl at flying speed. It disperses the fire fighting agent faster than the agent can work at denying the fire oxygen. That's all the agent does- deny oxygen to the fire long enough to have it cool down below ignition point. On a 757, if a certain engine door (6" X 6") is missing you can't put out an engine fire in flight, too much air flowing in the cowl. You can only stop a fire 3 ways Deny it fuel Deny it heat Deny it oxygen We fight the fire by denying it fuel- Shut off the main fuel valve. No fuel no fire. Oil is a problem if it catches fire out there. The days of separate oil tanks and hoses are gone for the most part (old Bonanzas the exception) We can't cool it below combustion point because we can't throw enough water on it to cool it (classic house fire fighting). We can't deny it O2 with our little dinky fire bottles as there is too much good air coming in the inlet. You have deny it O2 long enough to cool it below the burning temp point (take the heat away) Cabin fires are another story all together. Electrical, fuel and "trash' fires are all possible in the cabin. Trash can be from smoking in flight (yes some still do) and igniting charts or other "trash", the interior fabrics. Fuel could be from a primer line, FF gauge line or even oil pressure line breaking in the cabin and igniting (oil low risk, fuel higher risk) Biggest risk, electrical fire. We fight it by shutting down the electrical system but that doesn't stop the fire from continuing by burning the "trash", the wiring coatings themselves. That is why the specs for aircraft wire have changed since our older airplanes were built. That and toxic fumes from the burning wire. Fire in a confined space (our cabin) doubles in size every minute. second minute twice the size, third minute 4 times the size, 4th minute 8 times the size, See where i' going? You gotta put it out as you can't get on the ground fast enough. Fire in the cabin is a BIG deal if it happens but thankfully its not very common. 1
Recommended Posts