Harmless tailpipe fire may’ve triggered panic aboard flight

Chennai: It might have been a harmless 'tailpipe fire,' a mild momentary flame that happens when excess fuel in the engine passes out of the exhaust when the pilot starts the engine or opens power, that triggered panic on board Chennai-bound 9W2302 at Mumbai airport on Friday, resulting in injuries to 15 passengers. Tailpipe fire usually lasts for a few seconds and does not pose a danger to the aircraft.
While a preliminary inspection has found that there was no fire in the engine, sources told TOI the 'fire' was first reported by a Jet Airways crew member who was travelling as a passenger, along with three of his colleagues. He was among the eight crew members who were later suspended.
It, however, remains unknown when and why the captain ordered evacuation. ''Since there was no fire alert in the cockpit, the captain should have ascertained the facts before ordering evacuation. As of now, we don't know the real reason,'' said aviation expert Captain A Ranganathan.
Sources in Jet Airways said the captain was a senior person with more than 9,000 hours of flying experience.
Overheating of engine or fire in any part of the aircraft would flash a red light in the cockpit and set off an alarm bell, but tailpipe fire does not trigger the alert.
29/08/10 Arun Ram/Times of India

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Categories: airports aug 2010, Jet Airways Aug 2010, Safety Aug 2010