Engine Fire in Flight
- James Albright (a former G450 driver)
Updated: 2015-07-22
If this happens on takeoff before V1, reject the takeoff, and press on with this procedure after you are stopped. If this happens on takeoff after V1, continue the takeoff, get the airplane off the ground, and once above 1,500' press on with this procedure.
The fire detect control unit monitors two fire detection loops and will signal a fire warning if both loops agree there is a fire. The indication goes to the fire handle, fuel control panel, and the MAUs. If the MAUs signal a fire and the fire handle and fuel control switch do not, you could have a fire. If the fire handle and fuel control switch signal a fire, you have a fire no matter what the MAU thinks.
What happens when the two loops don't agree? If one thinks fire and the other doesn't, you will not get a light in the fire handle or the fuel control switch. You will get a Fire Detection Loop Fault CAS message and must complete the Engine Fire Detection Loop Fault procedure.
For more about engine failures, take a look at G450 Engine Out Considerations.
Everything here is from the references shown below, with a few comments in an alternate color.
Engine Fire In Flight
Symptoms:
The CAS may or may not appear, along with any of the following:
Analysis:
Engine fire loop senses a fire. If the lights in the FIRE handle and FUEL CONTROL switch are illuminated, the fire warning is valid. If the lights are not illuminated, you may have a faulty fire detection loop.
Procedures:
[G-450 AFM, §4-10-10]
In the event an engine fire warning is annunciated, proceed as follows:
MASTER WARN ... DEPRESS
Affected Engine ... IDENTIFIED / AGREED BY BOTH PILOTS
Affected Engine Power Lever ... IDLE
NOTE: The pilots shall agree on the correct (affected) FUEL CONTROL switch prior to placing it in the OFF position, as well as the correct FIRE HANDLE prior to actuating it.
Affected Engine FUEL CONTROL ... OFF
Affected Engine FIRE Handle ... PULL
Affected Engine FIRE Handle ... ROTATE TO DISCH 1 (TURN TO EXTREME POSITION)
NOTE: When it is necessary to discharge a fire bottle, ALWAYS use DISCH 1 first.
If fire warning indications are no longer present:
FIRE TEST / FIRE DETECTION Test ... PERFORM
If fire test / fire detection test is satisfactory, proceed to Step 9. If fire test / fire detection test is not satisfactory or fire warning indications persist for thirty (30) seconds:
Affected Engine FIRE Handle ... ROTATE TO DISCH 2 (TURN TO EXTREME POSITION)
If fire test / fire detection test is satisfactory, or after discharge of fire bottle(s):
Affected Engine BLEED AIR ... OFF
ISOLATION Valve ... OPEN
Affected Engine Generator ... OFF
AUX Pump (If Left Engine is Shut Down) ... ARMED
FGC Selection ... AS REQUIRED
NOTE: Match FGC to operating engine: FGC 1 = Left Engine; FGC 2 = Right Engine.
14. Fuel Load Balance ... MONITOR / MAINTAIN
NOTE: See Fuel Load Balancing, page EE-23.
TCAS ... TA ONLY
One Engine Inoperative Landing Procedure:
NOTE: For approach and landing, operation of landing gear, flaps, spoilers, reverser, and brakes should be accomplished as separate events, not simultaneously.
Single Engine Autothrottle ... OFF
AUX Pump ... SELECTED ON
Landing Gear ... DOWN / 3 GREEN
Airspeed ... VREF for 20° FLAPS + 10 KCAS
Ground Spoilers ... ARMED
At Final Approach Fix:
Flaps ... 39°
NOTE: If electing to land at flaps 20°, fly the approach at VREF for flaps 20° +10 knots and select the GPWS GND/SPLR Flap ORIDE to ON. See AFM Section 5, Performance, for landing distance in the flaps 20° configuration.
Airspeed ... VREF for 39° FLAPS +5 KCAS
NOTE: If strong winds are present, add to VREF ½ of the steady state wind plus the full gust to maximum additive of 20 knots.
After landing:
Operating Engine Thrust Reverser ... AS REQUIRED
References:
Gulfstream G450 Airplane Flight Manual, Revision 35, April 18, 2013