Procedure for EFB (iPad, tablet) fire in small aricraft
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Europe
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Procedure for EFB (iPad, tablet) fire in small aricraft
I searched PPRune and the internet, but could not find some examples of what I'm trying to find (if you can, please forward me the link).
Anyway, we have DA-20s in our flight school, and we're introducing iPads as sort of EFB, log book....
Now, there are procedures described nicely for larger aircraft. But, what do you do with the rapidly exploding and smoke creating device in a small confined aircraft.
FAA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS6KA_Si-m8
The usual procedure for extinguishing battery fires in devices like that is Halon, then cool down with water.
Of course, standard cabin fire procedure as per AFM applies also.
Problem is ,in a small aircraft, especially the likes of composite Da-20 - where is the best place to put the device while dealing with such a rapid fire. And what if you do not have water? The Da-20 has pretty small windows so you cannot just chunk it out (also you shouldn't really be touching the device in the first place). If you put it in the back behind the pilot you are basically putting on top of the fuel tank.
And there is really not much space anywhere else if you are flying with another person in the right seat.
The amount of smoke these fires produce is also worrying:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCWdnjLqVWw
Like said before, windows in the Da-20 and a lot of other smaller aircraft are small, may not be enough to aerate the cabin.
I would love to hear experiences and opinions from others, maybe someone has already thought about these issues.
Anyway, we have DA-20s in our flight school, and we're introducing iPads as sort of EFB, log book....
Now, there are procedures described nicely for larger aircraft. But, what do you do with the rapidly exploding and smoke creating device in a small confined aircraft.
FAA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS6KA_Si-m8
The usual procedure for extinguishing battery fires in devices like that is Halon, then cool down with water.
Of course, standard cabin fire procedure as per AFM applies also.
Problem is ,in a small aircraft, especially the likes of composite Da-20 - where is the best place to put the device while dealing with such a rapid fire. And what if you do not have water? The Da-20 has pretty small windows so you cannot just chunk it out (also you shouldn't really be touching the device in the first place). If you put it in the back behind the pilot you are basically putting on top of the fuel tank.
And there is really not much space anywhere else if you are flying with another person in the right seat.
The amount of smoke these fires produce is also worrying:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCWdnjLqVWw
Like said before, windows in the Da-20 and a lot of other smaller aircraft are small, may not be enough to aerate the cabin.
I would love to hear experiences and opinions from others, maybe someone has already thought about these issues.
It's a very good question.
Could you not crack the door open a bit and chuck it out??
Our Airline now carry "fire socks" to contain laptops/iPads/Phones with lithium battery fires....
Could you investigate carrying one of those plus oven mits to handle the device?
Here it is ( or something similar anyway )
http://www.aircareaccess.com/popUp/firesock.html
Could you not crack the door open a bit and chuck it out??
Our Airline now carry "fire socks" to contain laptops/iPads/Phones with lithium battery fires....
Could you investigate carrying one of those plus oven mits to handle the device?
Here it is ( or something similar anyway )
http://www.aircareaccess.com/popUp/firesock.html
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Europe
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
777300ER - Yes, definitely, charging in the plane itself will be out of question.
ACMS - Unfortunately, the Da-20's canopy cannot be opened in flight, see photo:
http://www.vannuyspilottraining.com/images/dim7nor.jpg
But those fire socks are really really interesting - thanks for the link!
ACMS - Unfortunately, the Da-20's canopy cannot be opened in flight, see photo:
http://www.vannuyspilottraining.com/images/dim7nor.jpg
But those fire socks are really really interesting - thanks for the link!
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: BC
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EFB/PED Overheat and Fire Issues
Hi, this is a very good question.
I'm an inspector with an NAA. I have been dealing with this issue for several years.
Interestingly, we in the industry haven't given too much thought about the General Aviation industry and the problems that you've raised. Its time that we did!
Your situation is very unique because you've got to 'get rid' of the device, should it catch fire. And a confined space is not a great place to deal with this.
Accepted practice is to douse the device with any liquid, other than liquids containing alcohol (save the Scotch for later). Halon doesn't actually deal with the problem as usually the battery is at fault and needs to be cooled due to a chemical reaction. Liquids are the only solution.
A fire-bag would be an effective method of 'storing' a misbehaving device however; there still is a problem with fumes and smoke that can seep out of the inside. Accepted practice is to place the device inside the firebag, utilizing special gloves included in the kit. Once the device has been contained, a good procedure would be to fill the bag with water and seal the bag and consider landing at the nearest suitable airport.
Ventilation becomes an issue in all of this as well. The fumes that are emitted are very toxic and could lead to incapacitation, especially in a confined environment. In commercial transport aircraft, there are Protective Breathing Devices (PBEs) at crew stations for use in such situations.
Some things to consider when using any PED is to keep it out of direct sunlight, be careful when charging the device. If the device slips between a seat it can easily overheat and spontaneously catch fire. (I've dealt with several of these instances). If you store your iPAD in a flight bag for any length of time....turn it off and make sure that it actually DID turn off. I have had at least one instance where the iPAD was 'thought' to have been turned off, placed in a flight bag and then began to overheat and emit smoke.
In short, it would be prudent of all people utilizing iPADs or any other PEDs, to think about how to deal with this issue. Any smartphone is capable of creating the same kind of problem as well.
If anyone needs info, drop me a note. It is a serious issue and in the spirit of a good Safety Management System (SMS), I found it necessary to answer this one.
I'm an inspector with an NAA. I have been dealing with this issue for several years.
Interestingly, we in the industry haven't given too much thought about the General Aviation industry and the problems that you've raised. Its time that we did!
Your situation is very unique because you've got to 'get rid' of the device, should it catch fire. And a confined space is not a great place to deal with this.
Accepted practice is to douse the device with any liquid, other than liquids containing alcohol (save the Scotch for later). Halon doesn't actually deal with the problem as usually the battery is at fault and needs to be cooled due to a chemical reaction. Liquids are the only solution.
A fire-bag would be an effective method of 'storing' a misbehaving device however; there still is a problem with fumes and smoke that can seep out of the inside. Accepted practice is to place the device inside the firebag, utilizing special gloves included in the kit. Once the device has been contained, a good procedure would be to fill the bag with water and seal the bag and consider landing at the nearest suitable airport.
Ventilation becomes an issue in all of this as well. The fumes that are emitted are very toxic and could lead to incapacitation, especially in a confined environment. In commercial transport aircraft, there are Protective Breathing Devices (PBEs) at crew stations for use in such situations.
Some things to consider when using any PED is to keep it out of direct sunlight, be careful when charging the device. If the device slips between a seat it can easily overheat and spontaneously catch fire. (I've dealt with several of these instances). If you store your iPAD in a flight bag for any length of time....turn it off and make sure that it actually DID turn off. I have had at least one instance where the iPAD was 'thought' to have been turned off, placed in a flight bag and then began to overheat and emit smoke.
In short, it would be prudent of all people utilizing iPADs or any other PEDs, to think about how to deal with this issue. Any smartphone is capable of creating the same kind of problem as well.
If anyone needs info, drop me a note. It is a serious issue and in the spirit of a good Safety Management System (SMS), I found it necessary to answer this one.
Last edited by 777AV8R; 9th Apr 2015 at 17:20.
If you really wanted to prepare you could also carry a smoke hood to keep away the toxic fumes.
Aircraft Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Hoods | Safety and Survival - from Sporty's Pilot Shop
However if you can't ventilate the small cockpit then visibility of the instruments from the smoke is going to be a real problem......
Then you should look at this product which helps you see outside and also see the primary flight instruments in thick smoke.
EVASŪ-Smoke in the Cockpit-VisionSafe Corporation
Aircraft Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Hoods | Safety and Survival - from Sporty's Pilot Shop
However if you can't ventilate the small cockpit then visibility of the instruments from the smoke is going to be a real problem......
Then you should look at this product which helps you see outside and also see the primary flight instruments in thick smoke.
EVASŪ-Smoke in the Cockpit-VisionSafe Corporation
Last edited by ACMS; 10th Apr 2015 at 02:55.
