Fire on the stand at Denver

[LittleInch]

Well this doesn't look like a very good situation. People climbing all over the wing and the plane on fire whilst parked at the stand.

Watch: Passengers seen on wing of plane after jet catches fire

Passengers were evacuated with no injuries reported after an American Airlines flight caught fire at Denver International Airport.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[FacEngrPE]

Skydrol™ = aviation phosphate ester.
I have some experience with a different phosphate ester, it is seriously difficult to ignite, I doubt that was the cause of the fire. My bet is on a fuel leak.

 

[LittleInch]

More like lubricating oil for me. Quite yellow flames and black smoke.

But could be some kerosene there for sure.

 

[TugboatEng]

Fun fact, the autoignition temperature of lubricating oils is lower than Jet A which is lower than gasoline.

 

[Alistair_Heaton]

I susepct the air cycle machines are involved.

Its actually relatively hard to get JetA burning. I have seen firemen resort to whole toilet rolls acting as a wick trying to get it vaporising to burn for fire and smoke training.

I have zero clue hoe much oil is contained in them or how its done on a 737. A220 and 787 are standalone sealed systems. 737 may be linked to the engines. But as that generation of engines are wheeping seal oil system I may well be wrong.

 

[LittleInch]

Depends hugely on the temperature of the oil and or kerosene and whether it was a spray, jet or just dumped a load out of a drain hole.

We may find out in a few months time, but it does seem to highlight a bit of a lack of a proper response to a fire when parked on the ramp, engines off, "doors to manual" and passengers standing up with their carry on etc.

The ramp person with the hose with something (Dry powder?/ CO2?) is the main "hero" here and acted very quickly to prevent what could have been a major disaster if allowed to burn more and engulf the plane before the fire trucks got there.