Air carrier pilots reported while proceeding into their gate; a pilot taxing behind them reported the aircraft had a tailpipe fire.
Synopsis
Air carrier pilots reported while proceeding into their gate; a pilot taxing behind them reported the aircraft had a tailpipe fire.
Narrative
After landing on runway XX in ZZZ; the capt directed me to shut down engine number 2 after the 3 minute engine cooldown on taxi to the gate via taxiway 1. We were approaching the turn for end-gate XX when we heard ground control confirming with us if we had heard the last transmission. I asked ground to repeat it and he said the aircraft behind us reported a tailpipe fire on our Number 2 engine that appears to have dissipated and was just smoking; but asked if we would like any assistance. I said yes; send the fire trucks. At this point we were lining up with the lead-in line and asked the aircraft taxiing behind us if they could confirm that they no longer see a fire. While waiting for that pirep the captain and I discussed if we should stop in place (approx 20 feet from the gate) or continue in. I voted to continue so we could get the jet bridge on in the event an evacuation was needed since our current position made the 1L door/slide appear unusable due to ramp equipment being in the way; so we continued along the lead-in line to the gate. The aircraft taxiing behind us confirmed that the fire appeared out and was just smoke. The emergency vehicles arrived shortly after and confirmed the fire appeared to be out. They stood by for 10-15 minutes to confirm no additional flame ups occurred. Cause: In hindsight; I realized that since we didn't know the status of the tail pipe at the time we discussed stopping in place vs. continuing to the gate; we should have stopped in order to keep the ground crew from approaching the aircraft; and run the QRC checklist for a tailpipe fire. In the moment; it sounded like such a benign report that we both thought it was a non-issue and proceeded to the gate and executed a normal shutdown while waiting for the fire trucks to arrive.
Second reporter narrative
After landing on runway XX in ZZZ; I shut down engine number 2 after the 3 minute engine cooldown on taxi to the gate via taxiway 1. We were approaching the turn for end-gate XX when we heard ground control confirming with us if we had heard the last transmission. We had not. He said aircraft behind you reported a tailpipe fire on your Number 2 engine that appears to be now just smoke; would you like any assistance. We said yes; send the fire trucks. At this point we were lining up with the lead-in line and asked the aircraft taxiing behind us if they could confirm that they no longer see a fire. They confirmed that the fire appeared out and there was a little smoke. We continued along the lead-in line to the gate. The emergency vehicles arrived shortly after and confirmed the fire appeared to be out. They stood by for 10-15 minutes to confirm no additional flame ups occurred. Cause: None come to mind.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.