Flight crew reported observing a tail pipe fire on an aircraft that just arrived at station. The fire extinguished soon after and the crew reported it to Maintenance. After inspection the flight crew flew the aircraft with no issues reported.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported observing a tail pipe fire on an aircraft that just arrived at station. The fire extinguished soon after and the crew reported it to Maintenance. After inspection the flight crew flew the aircraft with no issues reported.
Narrative
We were doing an aircraft swap in ZZZ. The aircraft that we were supposed to fly out of ZZZ arrived while we were there. I was on the jet bridge when the aircraft pulled into the gate; and after the jet bridge was parked I went down the stairs and commenced my walk around.I started at the nose and worked my way along the right side of the aircraft. I looked in the front of the number two engine; then went along the leading and trailing edges of the right wing. When I got back to the engine I looked in the back of the engine and saw a fire burning in the exhaust area of the engine. It was completely contained in the exhaust area and didn't appear to be getting larger.I immediately alerted the Fuel Truck Driver who had just pulled up; along with the other Ground Personnel. I then went up the airstairs to alert the Crew. The incoming FO (First Officer) was standing at the air stair door; so I told him we had a fire. The two of us immediately went to the engine to assess the situation. By the time we got there; the fire had burned itself out and there was no evidence of an active fire. The other FO returned to the flight deck to alert the Captain while I stayed behind to monitor the engine and make sure the fire was no longer burning. Shortly thereafter; the Captain came down to inspect the engine. We could see what appeared to be burn damage on the exhaust chamber but there was no further evidence of damage; an active fire; or leaks. We alerted Maintenance; the aircraft was grounded; and we were switched to another aircraft.There was some concern expressed that the Fire Department was not notified. The Fire Department was not notified due to the fact that the fire extinguished itself before we got around to contacting them. In hindsight; I should have initiated reaching out to the Fire Department immediately when I saw the fire rather than waiting for further assessment from another Crew Member.
Second reporter narrative
During a preflight inspection for our first flight of the day; the FO (First Officer) discovered a residual fire in the #2 Engine burner can. The aircraft had just arrived from ZZZ1 and the engines were shut down just a few minutes prior to his discovery of the fire. As the Fuel Truck arrived; the FO directed the Driver to keep the truck well clear of the aircraft. He then went up the jet way stairs to report the fire; where he found the inbound FO exiting the aircraft. He told the FO about the fire; and then took him downstairs to the ramp to show him. By the time they reached the #2 engine; the fire had already extinguished on its own.Meanwhile; unaware of a fire; I met the inbound Captain at the entrance of the jet way and he indicated to me that the aircraft was in good condition; with no write ups. I then made my way up the jet way to the cockpit. As I was putting my suitcase in the stowage bin; the inbound FO appeared at the cockpit door and told me that my FO had discovered a small fire in the #2 engine burner can; but that it had gone out. I immediately went down to the ramp; where I met my FO and he showed me where the fire had occurred. Moreover; a Ramp Agent was there and told me that the fire began as soon as the engine had been shutdown by the previous Crew.Having determined that the fire was extinguished and was no longer a danger to the Ramp Personnel; Passengers; or aircraft; I went backup stairs and told the Operations Agent about the situation and asked her not to begin boarding. Next; I called Dispatch and Maintenance Control. They decided the aircraft would be taken out of service and called for Contract Maintenance. I then made a write up in the book. An hour later another flight arrived at Gate XXX; which we uneventfully flew to ZZZ2.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.