B737 flight crew reported an engine tailpipe fire while taxiing onto the runway. Flight crew shut down the affected engine; fire was extinguished; and aircraft taxied to gate where it was taken out of service.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported an engine tailpipe fire while taxiing onto the runway. Flight crew shut down the affected engine; fire was extinguished; and aircraft taxied to gate where it was taken out of service.
Narrative
We were cleared for takeoff on Runway XXR in ZZZ and began to taxi onto the runway. As we taxied onto the runway; the Company flight behind us reported flames and fire coming from the exhaust of the #1 Engine. We advised ZZZ Tower we were canceling our takeoff clearance and requested to exit the runway. Engine power was never advanced above taxi thrust settings. ZZZ Tower cleared us to taxi down Runway XXR and exit left onto Taxiway 1. As we taxied; I placed the #1 Engine start lever to cutoff. At this time; the Company Aircraft that had been behind us; informed us the flames and fire were increasing and stated we needed to shut down #1; which had already occurred. We asked ZZZ Tower if we could exit at Taxiway 2; which was immediately to the left of our position; and requested that Airport Fire Equipment be sent to our location. Once stopped on Taxiway 2; we performed the Engine Tailpipe Fire QRH Checklist. We never had any fire indications on the flight deck. Once the QRH procedure was completed; the Fire Truck checked the outside of the aircraft and reported no sign of fire or any visible damage to the aircraft. They also reported that the temperatures they took were within normal ranges. We coordinated with ZZZ Station Ops to return to Gate X; and ATC cleared us to the gate via Taxiways 2; 3 and 4. We requested that a fire truck follow us to the gate to watch for reignition of the tailpipe fire. As we taxied to the gate; we noticed an oily smell of the flight deck; which the F/As confirmed in the cabin. Once at the gate; the Passengers were deplaned through the jetbridge. We were met at the gate by ZZZ Maintenance Control; and they confirmed the tailpipe of the #1 Engine was covered in a fluid that was likely bearing grease/oil; and they were taking the aircraft out of service. A logbook entry was made; and notifications to Dispatch; Maintenance Control; Supervisor; and Operations Chief Pilot were completed. A subsequent debriefing of the event was completed with Dispatch; Maintenance Control; Supervisor; and Operations Chief Pilot once we were in the terminal area.This was an unexpected engine malfunction. I am not sure much can be done to prevent and unexpected like this one.
Second reporter narrative
While taxiing onto Runway XXR; a Company aircraft behind us told us; over the Tower frequency; that we had fire/flames coming out of the exhaust section of Engine 1. We taxied off the runway and onto Taxiway 2; where we ran the QRH and waited for fire rescue to arrive. After QRH completion and Fire Rescue inspection; which revealed no fire presence; we taxied back to the gate.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.