B737 flight crew reported an engine overheated and caught fire after engine start during pushback.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported an engine overheated and caught fire after engine start during pushback.
Narrative
I was Captain and pilot flying on Flight XX. We had an overheat and engine fire during engine start on the number 2 engine. Up until the pushback; things had been busy; but manageable. We were up against a weight restriction; we're on release 4; and had two unrelated maintenance write ups. The pushback to engine start sequence was a little out of sequence. The ramper never gave us the 'cleared to start engines' during pushback. We were pushed back and when he asked for me to set the parking brake; I queried him if we were clear to start engines. He cleared us to start engines. I directed the First Officer to start 2; and then my attention was directed back at our ground crew for the sequence of setting the parking brake; ensuring the tow bar was removed; and disconnecting headsets. As I fly with a lot of new First Officers; I'm usually pretty good about monitoring the engine start. However; since we got the clearance late on this push my attention was diverted away to the ground crew. About the time they disconnected and left the aircraft; the FO verbalized an anomaly with the engine start. I looked down at the gauges and saw the EGT blank and flashing. The FO performed the aborted start memory items and I reached for the QRC (Quick Reference Checklist). As I finished the aborted start QRC; I believe what came first was the ENG 2 OVERHEAT light. I started to read through the Engine OVERHEAT QRC then ended up transitioning to the Engine Fire/Severe Damage/Separation memory items/QRC when we got the fire bell; Master Fire warning on the glare shield and an illuminated red number 2 fire handle. My memory is not perfectly clear about the timing of the lights; it is possible that the ENG 2 overheat came at the same time as the fire bell; Master Fire; and illuminated fire handle but we certainly ended up in the Engine Fire memory items/QRC. As the we worked through the QRC; we paused at the part where we blow the bottle to check in with each other and make sure we were certain about doing it. I also quickly called the purser to ask if they had any indications of smoke or fire. In hindsight; it feels like we paused for too long here. The startle effect certainly contributed. We should have more quickly trusted the indications we had. Ultimately; we discharged the bottle and started the timer. Within 30 seconds the fire handle went out. We got into the IPad to continue the checklist. The FO had; by this point; alerted ramp control and asked for fire trucks. We completed the checklist; communicated multiple times with the flight attendants; ramp; and operations. After what felt like around 10 minutes and an unusually slow response; Fire trucks arrived and indicated they saw no signs of a fire or smoke. The ENG 2 OVERHEAT light extinguished around this time too. With no further indications of a fire or smoke; we called for a ground crew to tug the airplane back to a gate.
Second reporter narrative
Started the number 2 engine just after push back. After moving engine start lever to idle detent; I verified fuel flow EGT indication. Shortly after; I noted EGT coming down with a flashing box. After placing the engine start lever to cutoff; but before being able to run the QRC (Quick Reference Checklist) or QRH (Quick Reference Handbook); the fire bell sounded and associated lights illuminated. The Captain ran the engine fire checklist; pulled the engine fire switch; and rotated the switch. The lights did go out; the Captain checked with the flight; attendants and ramp; and the fire trucks were dispatched. No further indications occurred; and a non-eventful tow back to the gate occurred.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.