CE-560XL flight crew reported receiving a fire extinguisher bottle low annunciation during cruise. The flight crew; worried that there may be a potential fire on board; opted to divert to a suitable airport and landed safely. Once on the ground; the fire department inspected the aircraft and did not find any fire.
Synopsis
CE-560XL flight crew reported receiving a fire extinguisher bottle low annunciation during cruise. The flight crew; worried that there may be a potential fire on board; opted to divert to a suitable airport and landed safely. Once on the ground; the fire department inspected the aircraft and did not find any fire.
Narrative
At FL400; we got a fire ext bottle low annunciation. The crew divided into its roles; myself flying and my FO (First Officer); a qualified Captain; running the checklist. We ran the QRH and [advised ATC]. We were not observing nor smelling smoke at this early part of the annnunciator illuminating. We sought info from ATC ZZZ Center for a suitable airport; winds; runway length; visibility; and fire department. ZZZ met the criteria and we coordinated our descent. I communicated with our owner that we had an annunciation and we were in need to change our destination. We didn't give out too much information as much info hadn't been acquired yet. We asked and ATC confirmed that the fire department was onsite and standing by. We flew direct to the field; and while enroute; performed our landing calculations and changed our runway of choice due to a field note for runway width conditions. When reaching the airfield; we observed no traffic and landed without incident. We cleared the runway and observed the fire department at the other end of the field and taxied toward them. We stopped the aircraft and they surveyed the aircraft and verified there was no evidence of fire observed. Due to the proximity of unstable ground and lack of evidence of a fire; we communicated that we would taxi to the Ramp; they would follow us; and if fire department observed anything fire related we would stop and execute an evacuation. Once on the Ramp; and still no evidence of a fire; we executed an orderly shutdown and deplane. Once everyone was off and away; I gave my keys to the fire department to open the cargo compartment to see if a fire or smoldering existed and to check the tailcone compartment area for same conditions. None were observed. With no fire existing; we cleared the passengers luggage and personal effects off the plane and into the FBO. Then we discussed and exchanged info with the fire department and my company departments.In looking back; our options were few from the geographical area; with a towered field 90+ miles away; where ZZZ was in the 50 miles away. I had thought of asking our passenger to see if the aft closet door was hot; since the cargo compartment was on the other side of the closet back wall. But that would have put them potentially in jeopardy. I believe we handled it well and beyond the taxiing towards the fire department vs. stop and evacuate immediately in position; I think arguments could have been made for both.
Second reporter narrative
In cruise flight at FL410 the fire bot low annunciator illuminated. We ran the QRH for the annunciator. We discussed the system issues and decided to [request priority handling] and divert to the nearest suitable airport; suspecting a possible baggage compartment fire. ZZZ had a suitable runway along with fire/rescue available. We prepared the aircraft for landing by checking the numbers; weather; and running appropriate checklists. We conducted a visual approach to Runway XX and landed at XA:02 without incident. The fire department met us upon landing and assured us there was no fire or smoke; so we taxied in to the FBO. We unloaded the passengers with the help of the paramedic crew due to pre-existing conditions.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.