BBC report fire on Easyjet B737 - all ok

[jetstream7]

BBC are reporting an easyJet B737 GLA-AMS has landed safely at NCL following a fire in the galley - all on board ok

Full story @

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_2064000/2064647.stm

(Edited to say that the BBC story has been updated considerably since I originally posted. Fire is now stated to have been in toliet )

[swashplate]

Good to hear all are safe. :cool:

...now watch the media luvvies start hamming it up.... :rolleyes:

[JAFCon]

If it was a smoker I hope that he/she is found and are prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and banned from flying ever again:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[VFE]

If it was caused by a someone smoking then I hope that on this occasion the story gets a good dose of attention from the media.

Glad to hear everyone was OK. :)

VFE.

[angels]

I'm with JafCon and VFE.

If it was a smoker, the stupid a-hole could have killed over a hundred people.

I'm a smoker -- but have never lit up on a non-smoking flight and certainly never in a toilet.

Wasn't a plane burnt out in Canada some time back by an idiot ditching a ciggy in the loo's waste paper holder?

[Desk Driver]

I am stunned that someone may have been that stupid.

As a smoker I shocked that someone could not wait for what an hour or so gate to gate. I hope (if proved) that someone actually gets sent down for this!!

[narrowbody-boeing]

Well Done to the crew involved, my and everyones utter nightmare, ..... a fire onboard, no matter where it is especially on an overwater flight.

Just shows u how essential the fire and smoke renewals are especially the toilet door practice we do.

If it concludes that it was a smoker, i really hope that he/she is caught and "the book" is thrown at them.

[swashplate]

BBC report now saying it was Dry Ice.........

[Konkordski]

Having read some of the comments, speculation and drama-laden statements which followed the original post, I'm convinced that we don't actually need any "media luvvies" to "ham it up"... :D

[BOEINGBOY1]

For God's Sake. Didn't either of the crew go back and investigate?

Are you saying that one of the flight deck should have gone and investigated the situation? and what if it was a real fire?
as in this case, I too would be far more interested in getting the thing on the ground - questions can be freely asked later. The stats say that any fire however small will lead to "complete loss of control" in around 12-14mins. serious control loss can be expected well before this time. A long retired training captain once said to me "its far better to have egg all over your face, than it is to have to attend all those funerals"

well done guys,

[expedite_climb]

A little embarassing perhaps, but if you've never seen dry ice reacting like that before it can be a little worrying the first time, usually makes huge plumes of smoke....

[FlapsOne]

Flat Spin

There are crew in the cabin to do that. That's why they're there.

The Capt and FO fly the aircraft.

[NigelOnDraft]

Flat Spin...

Since when, in a 2 crew aircraft, does anyone think you send a Flt Crew member back to the rear galley to establish if there really is a fire?!*!

1. Any smoke on the aircraft requires both Flt Crew to go onto masks...

2. If there was a fire, he certainly wouldn't get anywhere near the rear gally for panicking PAX, and if he did, he would not get back up front.

3. If there was a fire, and therefore likely to be developing, he is far more likely to be overcome by fumes than contributing anything useful.

4. Please give our Cabin Crews SOME credit - they have far more experience of the smoke / smells in the galley area, and therefore more likely to detect a genuine abnormaility.

5. If there is a fire, or even a possibility, those 90 seconds are better spent acting as 2 crew to get the thing on the ground ASAP, as it appears this crew did.

NoD

[nice_beaver]

Why ?

You assume that a flight deck member is so adept he/she may be able to save the day and regognise dry ice where the cabin crew cannot!!

If it had been a fire an the pax regognise it whilst the FO is at the back galley he/she may never get back to the flight deck in the panic to follow.

If there is any doubt get it on the ground.

Good job.

[Orca strait]

90 seconds into 12 minutes could be the difference between life and death when dealing with an on-board smoke/fire. FlapsOne is right, the cabin crew are trained to deal with the cabin and we the flight crew will fly the aircraft.

If only Swissair at Halifax had an extra few minutes granted to them...

[Desk Driver]

Just a thought, but are Flight deck allowed out of the Cockpit these days?

[PaperTiger]

Wasn't a plane burnt out in Canada some time back by an idiot ditching a ciggy in the loo's waste paper holder?
No. A popular 'example' quoted frequently by the anti-smoker brigade. No matter, I'm happy to set the record straight every time someone brings it up.

http://aviation-safety.net/database/1983/830602-1.htm
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001214X43285&key=1

[rolandpull]

I was thinking why EZY were carrying dry ice and then I remembered that the CC use it to cool there fingers after checking out if the flight deck breakfasts are hot enough! Mind you having worked in their -300 gallies, an oven fire is a real possibility - they are mingin!:rolleyes:

[GULFPILOT76]

Flaps 1,

I fully agree the cabin crew should handle this, unless you suspect damage to essentials like electrics, flight controls etc.
Then one of the flight crew should investigate, anyway still land at nearest suitable, don't take things for granted like boeing suggests in QRH section; smoke or fumes airco & electrical.
They only recomment landing "if smoke or fumes persist"
So if they don't persist you just continue??? I don't think so!!
Dry ice and water mix can ruin your day, it shows. But it's a laugh on the ground for fun.

[Bigears]

No-one going to answer Deskdrivers question?
If I were a terrorist, all I need is a lighter and some loo-roll in the lav- hey presto- access to the flightdeck when FD crewmember comes to investigate.

[GULFPILOT76]

Bigears,

Absolutely true, but still the easiest way in is straight through the door with a hard push. But to aggravate the situation on board more your suggestion might pass the terrorist quiztest.

[egffztzx]

A daft question maybe (but I am a trainee ATCO) -

Is CO2 in this form (dry ice) part of the aircrafts systems?

Or was it cargo?

If it's cargo, would it be classed as a 'Dangerous Substance' and would the crew be aware they were carrying it?

One of my reasons for asking is that "Dangerous Substances" is one of the bit of info we have to pass to the Fire Service is we declare a Full Emergency (as we would have done if this aircraft had come to us)


egffztzx

[VFE]

The flight was enroute from Glasgow to Amserdam. I guess at the point where smoke was suspected the crew would have been involved in flying the aircraft through a rather busy stage of the flight.

VFE.

[Lou Scannon]

The flight deck did exactly what they should have done-put the thing on the ground as rapidly as possible.

If it then turns out that they were overcautious-no problem.

We can then all discuss smoke/dry ice/what I would have done/what happened before etc etc 'til the cows come home-without the loss of one passenger!

Well done mates (and not forgetting the help they must have had from the air trafficers).

[rolandpull]

egffztzx:

Dry ice usually is packaged in a tough paper bag and used to keep the frozen crew HOT meals cool in transit with the caterer on the ground. This bag is then nearly always put into the a/c rubbish bins where it just evaporates away to nothing more than a few drips in a paper bag. What happened for the CC on this jet was I am afraid a big gotcha for the No2 & 3 but should not have phased the Senior Cabin Crew Member as EZY call their pursers.

If you were to look closely into Dangerous Goods or Hazardous materials within the cabin then to be honest you could have a field day (air fresheners, cleaning sprays, torch batteries). If this type of equipment is to be documented anywhere then to be honest each aircraft should have a risk assessment detailing any materials harmfull to crew or pax. This legislation is enforced in the offices of the airlines themselves but not to my recall the aircraft. H&S can have a snowball effect once you start probing, but invariably it is for the good of all.

[AeroBoero]

PaperTiger;

http://aviation-safety.net/database/1973/730711-0.htm

The famous VARIG in Orly.

[PaperTiger]

AeroBoero

I'm not going to hijack this thread into a smoking debate, but from the link you gave:The fire may have been started by an electrical fault or by the carelessness of a passenger.
IOW source unknown.

[JAFCon]

In reply to Konkordski's Earlier post,

Quote :- " Having read some of the comments, speculation and drama-laden statements which followed the Original post, I'm convinced that we don't actually need any "media luvvies" to "ham it up"

I find his attack on myself and others offensive and and totally uncalled for if he'd read my reply correctly he'll see I said "IF".

I am not anti-Smoking but if the Aircraft is a non-Smoking Flight people who break the Law, And it is the Law should be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law for Endangering the Aircraft and the lives of the Crew and Passengers.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[In trim]

Well done to the crew. You see smoke....you get it down. You can always ask questions later. And there is no way the F/O should have left the flight deck as some have suggested. He's paid to fly the plane!

Dry ice is permitted on board aircraft in restricted quantities, even in passengers handbaggage, as long as it is in a 'breathable' container, etc. (Used to chill samples, etc.) This is a standard exception to the Dangerous Goods Regulations, applied at most/all airlines.

[Vortex what...ouch!]

JAFCon,

Not being pro smoking but as I understand it in most cases it is company policy to make flights no smoking rather than the law of the land.

[AeroBoero]

PaperTiger;

Fair enough. I didn't have the intention also to hijack this into a anti-smoke debate.

[Covenant]

Precisely JAFCon.

And IF your're a complete w**ker, then I hope you get strung up by the balls.

It's so easy to jump on smokers these days isn't it? Wildfire starts: media say it was a carelessly discared cigarette. Hotel fire: "initial reports suggest" that someone was smoing in bed. "Fire" on aeroplane: must have been someone smoking in the lav.

When it turns out that it wasn't, no public apology. No retraction of the accusation; but the stigma remains and people's perception of smokers as a group of despicable subhumans is reinforced.

[Rananim]

Emergency diversion for dry ice is highly embarassing for this crew and airline.Those who advocate getting down on terra firma without first investigating what you're up against are incorrect.Quite a few airlines will discipline a Captain for making an unnecessary diversion.Know the condition of your ship and act accordingly.Those who say leave it to the cabin crew...well,perhaps.Depends on the crew you've got back there.Some are good..some not so good.One thing for sure though..its your job on the line not theirs.Pilots DONT just "fly the plane"...911 has changed a few things but not to that extent.You have to be involved in all aspects of the flight,including what goes on behind you in the cabin.If all we had to do was "fly the plane",the job could be done by a monkey.No,I'm afraid there's more to it than that.

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Rananim. On what grounds could an airline management get away with disciplining the flightcrew in these circumstances?

I can't see how you could get anything to stick at a tribunal out of this.

Smoke in the cabin is one of the most chilling prospects I think we all agree. If there's doubt, there's no doubt - put it on the ground. Would be my view.

WWW

[TightSlot]

As Cabin Crew, our company instructs (SEP manual & CRM courses) that when smoke/fumes present the f/deck door should never be opened!! All comms with Flight Crew by interphone, and an elaborate set of procedures to ensure fire fighting and constant comms with Flight Crew.

Given this, it would be a surprise to see one of the Flight Crew come out to check up, since this would invalidate the previous procedure - what is the point of training FA's to firefight & communicate if you then don't trust us to do either?:confused:

[Eff Oh]

Rananim and Flat Spin
Totally out of order!! What utter nonsense you guys are spouting. I know the Captain involved and he is VERY experienced on the B737, and a total professional!!!!!
What the hell kind of airline do you guys work for that would:
a: Advocte a flight crew member to go and investigate a potential cabin fire.
b: Repremand the crew for making a precautionary landing!

:mad:

Let me put this point to you. What if the F/O HAD gone to look and said "Yeah it's just dry ice, no problem." Then 15 mins later it was found that it WAS a genuine fire. You would all be on here saying "Oh yeah they should have diverted immediately. How could they have waited so long!" Letting someone, flight OR cabin crew make an interpritation of a "fire" is leading you down the road of misidentification. It is well known, when in doubt, get it on the ground.

I am quite frankly gobsmacked at some of the comments on this thread. Rananim I trust the cabin crew I work with as well trained individuals, whom the company trust to look after the safety of the passengers and crew we carry. If one of them tells me they have a fire, then that is good enough for me. Sure attempt to tackle the fire IF they can, but do not go and look for yourself, they are more trained than you in dealing with fires!

Please let us know what airline you fly with so that I can avoid travelling with you!!!! :rolleyes:

Eff Oh:rolleyes:

[Rananim]

WWW,
When I pointed out that some airlines would discipline a Captain for making an unnecessary diversion,I didnt imply that I necessarily agreed with this policy.Its a tough job..if you divert you have to justify it..and if you elect not to,you have to justify that too.Naturally,if you work for an airline that will support whatever decision you make,I say "Hang on to that job" and wish you the best of luck.Perhaps when you tire of flying holidaymakers to Spain,you will try the expat life,and then you'll see.Not all carriers(there are many good ones) obviously.But we're not talking third world either.
Eff Oh,
Ditto.I worked 17 years for a US major,then 18 as an expat.Now retired.

[Curious Pax]

Easyjet seem (rightly in my opinion) to think that the crew did the right thing judging by this press release that appeared on their website.


easyJet honours cabin crew for swift action in 'dry ice incident'

easyJet has put forward cabin crew Yvonne Johnstone and John Hudson for a Top Staff award in recognition of their swift action in the 'dry ice incident' on easyJet flight 868 from Glasgow to Amsterdam on Tuesday morning.

Thirty minutes into the flight, the cabin crew members saw what was believed to be smoke coming from a metal waste container in the rear galley area and discharged a fire extinguisher into it.

They informed the captain, who followed the standard operating procedures and diverted the plane to

Newcastle airport. The cabin crew kept the passengers informed at all times, reassured them and kept them calm.

Once landed, the Newcastle Airport Fire Services boarded the aircraft with all the passengers still in place and declared that there were no "hot spots" in the rear galley area. An investigation has found dry ice bags (which are used to keep sandwiches cold) inside the metal waste-bin container to be the cause of the 'smoke'.

Ray Webster, easyJet CEO, has nothing but praise for the whole easyJet crew: "We encourage our crews to take absolutely no risks - this is the cornerstone of safety. The cabin crew showed the highest levels of leadership and commitment in putting passengers' safety first and followed their training to the letter. They dealt swiftly with the incident and made sure that passengers were kept calm. I have nothing but praise for the way they handled the situation. At easyJet safety comes before anything else - no matter what the cost - and Tuesday's events are a great example of this."

The cabin crew will attend an easyJet awards ceremony to collect their award.

[BTB]

Raninim. A*se. Enjoy your retirement. Thank god times have moved on since your type. Well done the crew!

Edited to add the word A*se

[Goforfun]

"easyJet honours cabin crew for swift action in 'dry ice incident' "

That the other option of saving embaressment!

[fred peck]

Goforfun.....you just don't get it, do you?

[RatherBeFlying]

Many people would rather stay quiet and die than make a fool of themselves, especially with a large audience. It's a well known and all too common human tendency that has no place in the cockpit or cabin -- and many other places.

The risk analysis is simple:

You take immediate action and save your neck and your passengers' when the situation later proves to be serious, and are acclaimed a hero and brilliant pilot
You cross your fingers and hope it's nothing big, later to find out it's too late to save yourself and end up dead along with your passengers
You take immediate action later to find out the threat is non-existent at the cost of money, inconvenience and some derision from the hindsighters.

Having the courage to be called a chicken should be part of the professional qualification.;)