Flying over the GAFA yesterday, the F/O and I were discussing how we thought we would react to an uncontained fire in the underfloor cargo hold.
The aircraft, a transport category jet, has no fire/smoke detection, nor fire fighting capability, in the baggage hold.
Our conversation raised a number of questions, given that we were often >100 nm from a suitable aerodrome.
- How would we, the tech crew, know there was a fire?
- Assuming progressive cabin crew reports of smells, perhaps smoke, perhaps heat, how long would it take to come to the conclusion that there was a fire?
- How would we come to the conclusion that a forced landing was required, rather than a diversion for some 100+ nm?
- Would we make a forced landing in the bush?
- Would we commence an emergency descent to a low altitude to hopefully give the chance of a successful forced landing if it became an obvious necessity?
For the record, not many decisions were made. We thought perhaps a major highway, parallel but offset from our track whilst enticing, may have been more dangerous given the road trains and car/caravan traffic. We also touched wood.
I'd be interested in your thoughts and suggestions.
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bottums up !
[This message has been edited by Capt Claret (edited 27 April 2001).]