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When the brake unit was overheated and had just begun to catch fire due to excessive braking because of long taxi distance upon arrival, the ground personnel (not firefighters) made the first intervention with the fire extinguisher on the parking stand until the firefighters arrive.

I’m wondering, are there any points to be taken into account in terms of ground safety when approaching landing gear during this first intervention or in the case of extinguishing? Is there any guidance procedure for ground crew other than professional firefighters?

What type of extinguisher content should be used to extinguish the fire?

Regarding the related post: How do fire crews handle hot brakes?

I don’t think it’s the same topic. I would like to know if there is a guidance document explaining how the ground crew [not fire crew] should behave in the event of a brake fire upon aircraft arrival.

GolfCharlie
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    The main thing is the big rubber bomb around each of the wheel rims. Hopefully the thermal fuses will work and let the air out without taking out any bystanders. I wouldn't go anywhere near a burning wheel myself. The firefighters are going to approach it with the foam/water cannon while inside the truck. – John K May 12 '19 at 15:07
  • I don’t think it’s the same topic. I would like to know if there is a guidance document explaining how the ground crew should behave in the event of a brake fire upon aircraft arrival. – GolfCharlie May 12 '19 at 19:48
  • I've used your comment to highlight the difference, and updated the title accordingly. –  May 12 '19 at 20:01
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    Possible duplicate of How do fire crews handle hot brakes? – DeltaLima May 12 '19 at 20:03
  • @ymb1 Thank you for making it more understandable on my behalf. – GolfCharlie May 12 '19 at 20:08
  • Don't put yourself alongside the tire. The thermal plugs, if they blow, are going to blow outward from the tire. Stay in front of or behind the tires. – Terry May 12 '19 at 23:58
  • Why do you think it would be much, if any difference than fire crew guidance about approach path and water given to firefighters? – Notts90 May 13 '19 at 09:58
  • @Terry Dear Terry, thank you so much for the valuable information provided. – GolfCharlie May 13 '19 at 18:41
  • @Notts90 Firefighters are exposed to less risk than groun staff only because they are trained to acquire fire fighting skills and have protective clothing. So i’m just trying to learn how this issue to be handled in a safe manner from ground staff perspective. – GolfCharlie May 13 '19 at 21:02
  • @Terry Boeing says to approach at a 45 degree angle. My understanding is the wheel will tend to blow out to the aircraft's left-right axis, the tire itself will blow out foward-aft, so 45 degrees avoids both. – user71659 May 13 '19 at 21:40
  • @user71659 Good info! In the 747 ground schools I attended, at least as I remember them, they didn't cover the tire blowing, saying that the thermal relief plugs would preclude the tire blowing. – Terry May 14 '19 at 01:34

1 Answers1

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Approach from upwind. The source of fire is hot brakes so apply maximum cooling, say water-based. But hydraulic fluids under pressure burn, so if brakes are engaged it's best to ensure with flight crew that the brakes are off as soon as the aircraft is stationary. Stay in the vehicle in case tyre ruptures; chances are it will go sideways. If fuel is leaking, use suitable foam.

I once saw a Harrier with a brake fire. The burning pressurised brake fluid was acting like a flame thrower on the aircraft structure. The aircraft was written off. This happened about 1981.

rclocher3
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david innes
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