In-Flight Fire – Maybe in the Rear Engine You Can’t See

[hharney]

Really good stuff Ernie

Here are a couple other thoughts, and a good reason to attend SOAPA meetings. Install a heat detector in the cowl of the rear engine. it is monitored by a warning light on the panel. This will provide an advanced warning.

Also, I just installed a mirror on the inside right boom just ahead of the interior flap. This provides some nice views of the right side of the rear engine. I can see the prop when I start and the cowl flap. Not sure it would be the best for a fire on the left side but maybe you could put one on the left boom too. A small rectangular convex mirror would work best.

And lastly, attend SOAPA. In Branson, MO at the 2009 meeting we had Capt. Dennis who had experienced a engine fire over water and he had some emergency gear to demonstrate. Here is a photo of a smoke hood and life jacket. The cheap little cellophane bags that you put over your head are worthless so get one like in the photo at the least.

And we had to learn how to use the raft if you went into the water. Good practical stuff and only at SOAPA.

[skymstr02]

We O-2 owners have the luxury of having a fire detector system installed on our rear engine compartments. There are four fire detectors set at 350F that will illuminate a red light on the panel when the compartment temp reaches that threshold.

[Dale Campbell]

I had a undected leak in rear muffler and the A/P did not even find it during annual. I found it! He was about to put the cowl back on when he finished the annual, when I was there and I noticed a white calky film on oil pan co-pilot side on rear engine. I got a flash light and found a hole 4 inches long and 1/8 inch wide right next to outside rib on muffler. You had to look hard to see it. So I would tell every one to check that rear muffler real good every time the cowl is off and watch for that calky film that is the key to exhaust leaks. the scary thing is the gas lines to the engine primer is right there above were the exhaust leak was and if there was any sign of gas leak, puff I would not be here. Dale Campbell