ENGINE FIRE AND TYPES
There are two distinct types of fires that can occur in an aircraft engine: an engine fire, also known as a nacelle fire, and a tailpipe fire, which is an internal fire. Both types of fire affect the engine, but must be treated differently.
Engine fire (nacelle fire)
An engine fire that occurs in the nacelle, which is the external part of the engine core, can happen either when the aircraft is on the ground or during flight. It typically results from a malfunction or rupture of a component or pipe that contains flammable liquids like fuel, oil, or hydraulic fluid. When these liquids come into contact with hot surfaces within the engine, such as the high pressure compressor, combustor, or turbine, they can ignite and cause a fire. Another possible cause is damage to components and pipes within the engine core due to rupture of a part, leading to a fire.
When an engine fire occurs, the engine fire protection system detects it and triggers an alert, such as the red ENG X FIRE ECAM alert (L ENG FIRE or R ENG FIRE on A220 aircraft). The flight crew must then follow the associated engine fire procedure without delay to address the situation.
Tailpipe fire (internal fire)
A tailpipe fire inside the engine core can occur during engine start or shutdown, typically when the engine rotates at a low speed and residual fuel or oil leaks are present in the combustion chamber or turbine area. Unfortunately, tailpipe fires are not detected by the fire detection system as they happen inside the hot sections of the engine core, outside the fire detection zone. However, flight crews can identify tailpipe fires by observing abnormal increases in EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) during engine start or if the EGT does not decrease after engine shutdown. Ground crew, cabin crew, or air traffic controllers may also notice a tailpipe fire and must immediately inform the flight crew.
In the event of a tailpipe fire, the flight crew must follow the ENGINE TAILPIPE FIRE abnormal procedure from the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) or Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM), which typically involves ventilating the engine to extinguish the fire with airflow and remove any residual fuel or vapor. It's worth noting that on the A220, a tailpipe fire procedure is currently being studied for potential inclusion in the QRH/FCOM.
Following a tailpipe fire, maintenance inspection is required to assess for any flame damage to the flaps, wing, or pylon areas, ensuring the safety and integrity of the affected engine and surrounding components.
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