may be of interest to some Ian M ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ian Mc Phee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: 2008/6/30 Subject: FIRE- FIRE- FIRE-ASH25E To:
Every now and then with motor gliders I burst into saying FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE about 10 times and interestingly pilots have little idea how to react. This unfortunately take on a new light as yesterday Geoff Sims ASH25E backfired at start on on the ground and ASH fuse is now basically "ashes"of carbon fibre - wings and tailplane may be ok and this may be Australia's second most exspensive glider insurance claim. Probably the biggest was the Stemme 10 a little over 12 months ago which caught fire flying out of Camden and Neil and his Son were killed (engine in fuse in wing trailing edge area) When I shout Fire I expect 1 turn fuel off, 2 turn battery Knochen (Bone) Master off - like all boats have 3 if altenator pull circuit breaker and 4 locate fire extinguisher and remove from holder. Worth remembering. The other source of fires is overuse of disc brakes. The ASH25E like the ASK21Mi has the Midwest rotary fuse mounted 2 stroke (but oil injection) engine . Fire is my biggest fear in Aviation and actually every few years I have or friends have been involved in Aviation fires. That's why when doing a DI I turn on the electric fuel pump and sure enough once fuel in RH carby tray and that is why I really look for cracks in exhausts. Also when I have a backfire I stop and get out on middle of field and check engine as in my book engine backfire = possible engine fire. Here are a few fire experiences all except one known to me personally Geoff Sims ASH25E - probably fuel/backfire related Neils S10 dual fatal at Camden -seems engine fire Callair tug Keepit engine bay fire -fuel/exhaust I think Diamona h36 Hunter Valley regulator runaway overvoltage - electrical Diamona h36 Dave Goldsmith regulator overvoltage resulting in battery fire - glider was able to land at a airfield below - this is know problem to a good auto electrics man - need a good earth between regulator and alternator to prevent overvoltage from alternator. Duo Discus (not known to me) towed out by car with disc brake on - totally burnt to ground Geoff sim Laicair - electrical fire after take off duew to braided cable rubbing on power wire Pawnee at Coffs Harbour put out Mayday due to engine fire - crack exhaust blowing fumes onto fuel pumps- Commercial pilot was not doing a good DI -You really must check all towplanes between 100hlys Pawnee at Benalla during world comps Col Churches taxied Adelaide SC pawnee back to tiedown. I had stopped and noticed smoke pouring out of RH brake. I ran out with Yellow BCF extinguisher from my pawnee and by the time I got there flames were licking the wing and it took 2 seconds from extinguisher fire was out. 7 registered aircraft burnt at Keepit fire Oct 94 (biggest civil fire in AUS since war) but that was caused by a kid Simon McClurer who started fire- fibreglass gliders could be carried away in a bucket Kookaburra on trailer going from Kingaroy to Warwick and a mattress at nose of glider caught fire and all was left was a bucket of metal parts- cause smokers cigarette In addition I have had 2 domestic fires and one car fire and it is worth saying the car was a HB Torana (known for catching fire I have since heard) and that was the Carby and exhaust pipe on same side. A drip tray under carby as JAR22 Sect H Motorgliders requires would have saved the fire but I add a fire extinguisher put out fire quickly. A friend a LAME from way back always carried a roll of aluminium tape and he would often use 3 layers (good heat insulation properties) of this foil tape where appropriate and would often use extra a little red/orange silicon rubber sheet just to be sure. If in doubt use extra fire sleeving or extra heat shields. For those with Jabiru be on top of the 1/4inch bolts that bolt the engine pipes to heads (later models excepted) can leak or loose a bolt and possible fire cause. Also I never like battery with engine - I like a bone master that can turn off the battery and not a relay. Lets all learn from these experiences of fires Ian McPhee
