Originally Posted by jaja
On a very good CRM course a few years ago, I learned this frightning statistic :
On average, an uncontrollable fire, becomes none surviveble in 19 minutes !!!!
Gentlemen, think about that for a minute, 19 minutes !
Then you can forget about all your professional training and the sofisticated aircraft you fly.
THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IN CASE OF AN UNCONTROLLABLE FIRE IS TIME = GET ON THE GROUND !
200nm is 35-40 minutes, including approach, so with an alternate below you, what were you thinking about ? or are a BA B747/3 engine capt ?
I am shocked
But remember, if the fire would be uncontrollable, you would have more warnings, hints etc, that something awful is going on.
And besides, a fire doesnt become uncontrollable very fast in a plane, you know. it takes many minutes before a minor fire would get worse.
So if you have Fire warnings, lights, smoke, horns whining, i bet you wouldn't even consider to push straight to your destination.
And, in case of a 19 minute-surrivetime, i think you would get the plane to the divertplace straight under you. Remembe, this would be a "Mayday", and regulations can be overseen in situations like that.
(Am i right? Im not a pilot, groundcrew, F/O, or anything. Just a guy that wants to be a Pilot.
)