2022-07 · NASA ASRS report 1915643
B737 flight crew reported a tail pipe fire on #2 engine after arrival to the gate and coordinated with ground personnel to motor the engine to extinguish the fire. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection.
After landing at ZZZ; Runway XXL; we taxied uneventfully to [the gate]. Somewhere on Taxiway 1; we shut down the #2 engine; probably 1 to 1.5 minutes prior to reaching the gate. We shut down the #1 engine at the gate; ran the Parking Checklist; and I opened the cockpit door and saw Passengers deplaning. Soon thereafter; the probationary FO (First Officer) said the Ramp Agents were giving him unusual hand signals. I said we did not have ground power and to give them the electrics signal. He did and said there seemed to be confusion. He also said it wasn't a fire signal. I had him open the window and talk to them. They informed us the #2 engine was on fire. I saw no abnormal engine indications in the cockpit and the FO saw no fire indications from his window looking at the #2 engine. He asked if the engine was just glowing; and was informed it was on fire. As we looked for clarification; a Ramp Agent walked up and showed a video of the #2 engine tailpipe he'd taken on his cell phone. It showed what appeared to be a tailpipe fire. I looked backed and saw Passengers still deplaning; but opted not to make a PA and cause confusion or panic since they were already doing what I wanted them to do; get off the aircraft. I asked the FO to go down and take a look at the engine and confirm things. We quickly discussed training not to blow any fire bottles. In the interest of Safety; I called ZZZ Ground Control and informed them of the tailpipe fire on the #2 engine at [the gate]; and asked they send fire vehicles in case they were needed. I quickly perused the QRH Tailpipe checklist to make sure I was going in the right direction. I turned the #2 Start switch to Ground; then turned it off at 3%; when I realized I needed to ensure the area was clear. I looked out the FO window; Ramp confirmed it was clear; and I again turned on the #2 Start switch and motored the engine. The tailpipe fire was quickly extinguished; and this was confirmed by the Ramp. I saw just over 18% on the N2 rotation when the Ramp told me the fire was out. I turned the start switch off; then called Ground to inform them the tailpipe fire was out; but to let the fire vehicles come as a precaution. The sequence is somewhat blurry here. I think I called Maintenance Control at this time about doing a logbook write up and spoke to him a few minutes. Also answered questions from the ZZZ Company Rep who'd come to the cockpit. I then got out of my seat and went outside to take a look. I saw most Passengers had deplaned by this time. The fire vehicles had just arrived. I debriefed the Fire Response Supervisor; and spoke to a few Ramp Agents and thanked them. I saw nothing unusual with the #2 engine. I then went back to the cockpit to do the write up; then had a conference call with Dispatch; Supervisor on Duty; and Company Operations Center. We reviewed the event. I emphasized no PA was made; because I thought it would only lead to confusion and maybe panic; and I believed the circumstance didn't warrant it; since everyone was getting off the aircraft anyway and it was a tailpipe fire; not an internal engine fire. I also emphasized it was me who called for fire response. I was not aware of any other personnel calling for fire response. Chief Pilot on Call asked me to write [the] reports. He informed me this same event had happened a day earlier. Everyone on the conference call seemed to think we handled it appropriately; but I am always open to improvement.
After arriving at [the gate] in ZZZ; Ramp Crew were giving me hand signals; that I did not understand. I brought it up with the Captain and we decided to open my window and talk to them. Upon opening the window; the Ramp Crew informed us that our #2 engine was on fire. I informed the Captain of what they were telling me then immediately looked and didn't see any flames or smoke. The Captain and I both looked for any abnormal indications in the Cockpit and found none. The Captain mentioned possible tail pipe fire and asked if I'd go outside and investigate to verify actual tail pipe fire or if it was just hot metal inside the engine glowing. As I got outside; a Mechanic met me and confirmed tail pipe fire and that we needed to motor the engine; to which the Captain was already starting the process of motoring. Fire was extinguished shortly after the motoring.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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