2024-10 · NASA ASRS report 2177870
Air carrier flight crew reported receiving indications of a cargo fire just prior to reaching their cruise altitude. The crew initiated a diversion to an eventual safe landing.
Aircraft X had numerous MELs some limiting; ie NO RNAV. Single Cargo fire loop and no inflight/post flight ACARS to name a couple. We were about an hour delayed for late AC (Aircraft) arrival; MEL dissection; and Deicing for freezing fog. Taxi to a Runway X departure and initial climb out were uneventful. Climbing through approximately FL270 we received intermittent CARGO FIRE indications. Leveling at FL310 we received a steady CARGO fire and began the checklist. We confirmed we were on the lease aircraft check list and began a turn toward the divert. We selected ZZZ as the divert and were unable to reach flight control due to ACARS being INOP. We had O2 masks on; [requested priority handling] and started to descend. We were cleared direct the field and contacted ZZZ Ops to get a hold of the company. We asked for Runway XX as it would be a straight in. After completing the procedures; the light went out when we arrived at 12;000 ft. We completed the check list minus the deferred items and set up for the approach. Briefings completed and started the approach. Approach was uneventful to auto land braking max auto to highspeed exit on Taxiway 1. We had trucks standing by and they met us on Taxiway 1 as we exited. Fire trucks had us stop they scanned the AC with IR (Infrared) and said they saw no hot spots. We elected to taxi back to the Company line off of Taxiway 2 as we did not see or smell any smoke or acrid smell. We shut down normally and the mechanic and Fire Captain came up inspected all the Cargo holds; gave the all clear with no fire identified.
Late departure due to a late arrival from ZZZ1. Lengthy audit of MELs with Mechanic one of the MELs was for the Main Deck Cargo Compartment smoke detection system and it was configured for single loop operations. Aircraft had numerous inoperative systems to include 1 Radar system; 1 Main Cargo Fire detection Loop; 1 GPS (no RNAV approach capability); no ACARS or CPDLC. Weather was low visibility due to freezing fog. We coordinated deicing and taxied from 1; 2 Taxiway per the low visibility taxi route. Normal take off and climb out and while leveling at FL310 we noticed EICAS flickered a message several times. It appeared to be Main Cargo Fire; so we immediately referenced the QRH. I also used my Nav display to look at potential divert fields. Below us; the entire region was fogged in. ZZZ2 looked to be as close as ZZZ and ZZZ3 and ZZZ4 were too far away to consider. Shortly thereafter; the Master Warning and Main Cargo Fire EICAS illuminated (locked on). The First Officer initiated the procedure; we donned oxygen masks and established communications. We determined that the safest option was to return to ZZZ and I took the radios as Pilot Flying and [requested priority handling] and coordinated our divert with ZZZ Center. We initiated a descent to 12000 and ran the QRH procedure to completion. During the descent; the Fire indications extinguished and we didn't see any smoke nor smell anything burning. When time permitted; the FO was able to contact ZZZ Ops to relay our return with company since ACARS was inoperative. We performed a high-speed descent and arrival. We requested ILS Runway XX with Approach Control and performed an uneventful auto land due to low visibility (RVR 1000/700/700) and freezing fog. ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) requested us to clear onto 3 high speed Taxiway and they would inspect us there. ARFF scanned the aircraft for any heat signatures and didn't see any. Rescue requested we taxi to [Taxiway] 4 Company ramp and they would follow us. With no Fire indication; no sign of Fire and no hot brakes; we agreed that emergency egress wasn't the safe option and continuing to the ramp with Fire escort was safe and prudent. Once we had marshaling available; we entered the ramp to park. We already coordinated to have stairs standing by at block in. As soon as the Stairs were up; the mechanic and fire crew entered the aircraft. Fire crew inspected the cargo bay while we ran shutdown and aircraft securing checklists. We made a log book entry and discussed it with the mechanic. The FO filled out a flight data coupon due to no ACARS. As we left the aircraft; the mechanic came down to inform us that another Main Cargo Fire indication had just occurred. No actual fire; just indication. After inspecting the aircraft ARFF gave it the all clear.
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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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