A300 flight crew reported ECAM indications of a cargo deck fire after takeoff resulting in an immediate return to the departure airport.
Synopsis
A300 flight crew reported ECAM indications of a cargo deck fire after takeoff resulting in an immediate return to the departure airport.
Narrative
Departing out of ZZZ XXL on Date at approximately XA30. Climbing thru 9;000 ft.; Captain was pilot flying (PF); I observed an amber ECAM flash. After asking the Captain about the ECAM; he stated that he thought he saw a flash of an engine loop failure. Climbing through 10;000 ft.; we observed an Amber ECAM for both a loop failure and a PACK FAILURE. Both ECAMs cleared without time for us to perform ECAM steps. Shortly thereafter; the flight deck fire warning alarm sounded with an accompanying red ECAM for main cabin smoke. The Captain directed a level off at 11;000 ft. and maintain current heading. I coordinated with departure to level off and maintain present heading. Both Amber and Red ECAMs extinguished; and then sounded again. I requested an immediate turn back to the field for ILS XY; as well as; requested priority handling - stating nature of situation; (indications of cargo fire); Side of Body (SOB) (3); and fuel (38;000 pounds). During our turn toward the field; we again received the fire horn and red ECAM for main cargo smoke; we accomplished the first step of donning oxygen. The Captain requested a lower altitude; and I coordinated a descent to 4000. During our descent; the PACK FAULT ECAM returned and remained on; allowing me time to complete the ECAM steps to correct the PACK fault. Again; we received intermittent fire warning and accompanying red ECAM for main deck smoke. We were cleared direct to ZZZZZ for ILS XY; accomplished in-range; approach; and land checklists. We were stabilized by 2;000 ft.; I verbalized that we were in a safe position to land; and confirmed with the Captain his intentions to remain on the runway upon full stop. After an uneventful landing; we stopped midfield Runway XY and awaited Crash Fire Rescue (CFR) response. We remained on the runway; swapped to a discreet frequency to speak directly with fire rescue. They performed an IR scan of the aircraft; making a 360 degree sweep. No hot spots identified. The Captain elected to continue taxing to parking; during which we receive another red ECAM for main deck cargo smoke. We parked without further issue. Of note; all ATC controllers were professional and very accommodating throughout a stressful event. Emergency team on deck and maintenance professionals were equally helpful and professional. This event was likely a result of an aircraft fault (either a detection fault or a PACK failure that caused smoke to rise into the main cargo area).Our procedures include testing of our fire warning systems; as well as; how to handle complex malfunctions.
Second reporter narrative
On departure from ZZZ XXL ZZZZZ1 departure during initial climb passing through 12;000 ft.; ENG 2 loop a fault appeared on ECAM momentarily then cleared. A few seconds later the same fault appeared and then cleared again. A few seconds later pack 2 fault appeared on ECAM for a few seconds then cleared. Again a few seconds later the same pack fault appeared then cleared. A few seconds later main cargo smoke appeared on ECAM. I directed to ZZZ to run the ECAM and QRH and I began a descent initially to 10 000 ft. We then requested vectors back to ZZZ and [requested priority handling]. Cargo smoke ECAM cleared and then reappeared approximately 15 seconds later. The third time the smoke ECAM appeared; it stayed on for about a minute. It cleared again and then the pack fault appeared on ECAM. The pack fault ECAM was executed. ATC had given us a westbound turn direct ZZZZZ with initial descent to 4;000 ft. Once the pack fault ECAM was completed we set up raw data for the ILS to Runway XY. After a quick approach brief we completed the in range and approach checklists. At about 12 miles we were cleared for the approach and all checklists were completed by 1;000 ft. We landed on Runway XY and stopped on the runway. Crash Fire Rescue (CFR) shot a thermal image and showed no evidence of fire. At that point we discussed and felt that it was some type of electrical problem and probably not a fire. We remained on the runway awaiting a parking gate. Once given a gate assignment we cleared the runway and the main cargo smoke illuminated and extinguished twice more. We discussed again and felt it was something electrical and continued to parking. Parking and shutdown were uneventful.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.