2009-05 · NASA ASRS report 836753
A B757 First Officer heard and saw the APU fire warning in the nose wheel well during his exterior preflight walk around and discharged the fire extinguisher. The Captain was simultaneously performing a preflight fire detection test.
During the preflight walk around; as I was walking away from the nose gear and towards the right engine; I heard the APU fire warning. I turned back to the nose gear and saw the APU fire warning light flashing. I quickly re-approached the nose gear and confirmed that it was the APU fire warning light and aural. I pushed the APU shutdown button and then pushed the APU fire extinguisher button. I then quickly returned to the airplane to tell the Captain what I had did. It was during this conversation that he told me he was testing the aircraft's fire system and I had reacted to a fire test. I've been doing walk arounds for over 10 years and not once; have I ever heard the APU fire warning. Also; during a proficiency check; I was asked about what actions I would take if the APU fire warning sounded during a walk around. We even spent time discussing if the nose gear strut was covered in crud and I couldn't read the labels; what button does what and which to push first and second. I also now realize that if this was to happen again; what will I do? Do I run back up to the cockpit to verify the fire; and by doing so waste precious time if there is a fire or do I assume the worst-case scenario. I will definitely be asking the Captain; from now on; to hold off on his fire test until I return from the walk around.
During my preliminary cockpit checks and as I tested the Engine/APU/Fire System; suddenly we lost all Aircraft Power. As passenger were on board; I quickly reconnected gate External Power. As I looked for the cause of loss of APU power. The First Officer came to the cockpit from his walk-around to inform me that we had just experienced an APU Fire. I asked if he had seen any smoke or fire; to which he replied 'No'. I told him that I was conducting the Fire Test at same time. In the interest of safety; I proceeded to make a PA announcement 'This is your Captain speaking; please leave all belongings on board and calmly walk off the airplane.' The aircraft was promptly evacuated via the jetway; while I proceeded to inform Ramp Control; Maintenance; and request a supervisor. After being satisfied that there was no fire; I made a cellphone call to Duty Manager; who said he would send a Flight Manager. The investigation by all parties fail to disclose any fires; so we proceeded to debrief; deferred and proceed with flight as planned. The flight arrived 30 minutes late.
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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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