A B737-300 flight crew experienced an APU fire warning on descent into destination. They declared an emergency and after landing evacuated the passengers via the air stairs when fire crews reported no visible smoke or flames.
Synopsis
A B737-300 flight crew experienced an APU fire warning on descent into destination. They declared an emergency and after landing evacuated the passengers via the air stairs when fire crews reported no visible smoke or flames.
Narrative
I was the pilot flying (second leg on the first day of a three-day). We were deviating 10 degrees left of track for weather and descending through 17;000 feet for 11;000 feet and slowing working our way to on the arrival. Without warning; the APU Fire Warning light and bell came on. The APU switch was OFF. We had used it twice that day on the ground with no problems. The pilot monitoring did the Recall items and the QRH and the fire light did not extinguish. We declared an emergency with Center and were cleared direct to the field. I put the point prior to the FAF in the box and executed it. The approach and landing were normal. Tower stated that the runway was ours and we could stop right there. We stopped and set the brakes and got in touch with the Fire Department. They stated that they did not see any smoke or fire. The APU fire light was still on and the Fire Department had an airstair nearby. The Captain shut down the engines and we ran the Evacuation checklist. I proceeded to the front door and helped the passengers out of the aircraft and down the stairs to the side of the runway where the Fire Department had set up a safe area. Buses came out within 10 minutes. We counted heads as the Passengers boarded three buses and put an Flight Attendant on each bus.
Second reporter narrative
I contacted the Flight Attendants and advised them of the situation. I asked them to report anything unusual in the aft part of the aircraft such as smoke; heat; discoloration; or even fire. They reported back to me that everything was normal. I told the Flight Attendants that the emergency equipment will meet the aircraft upon landing and once they determine there are no visual or other cues of an APU fire; we are to conduct an orderly evacuation of the Passengers through the forward entry door; by use of airstairs. As soon as we received landing clearance; I asked the Control Tower to give me an external report of the aircraft exterior; specifically the aft part. Tower replied that there was no visible smoke or fire. We landed uneventfully and requested a temporary parking location from the Tower. Tower replied that we can stop right there and that the whole runway was ours. We stopped slightly past the Taxiway. We made a PA to the passengers and advised them of a precautionary evacuation and explained the presence of the emergency equipment around the aircraft. Communication with the fire crew was established and they reported that no indications of fire and/or smoke were visible. I requested that they bring the airstairs to the aircraft and advised them that we were going to evacuate the aircraft in an orderly fashion.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.