The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) have today published their report into an Engine Fire Indication on an Aer Lingus Airbus A330 (EI-LAX) shortly after takeoff in Dublin on 28th December 2017. Just after take-off from Runway 28 on a scheduled passenger flight to Los Angeles International Airport, the Flight Crew received a No. 2 (right-hand) engine fire (ENG 2 FIRE) warning, which required the No. 2 engine to be shut down. Following the shutdown, the fire warning ceased. The Flight Crew declared a MAYDAY to Dublin ATC and also pressed the AGENT 1 pushbutton, thereby discharging an engine fire extinguisher into the engine compartment.
Following a review of the situation, the Flight Crew elected to proceed to Shannon Airport, which had a longer runway than those at Dublin. A holding pattern was entered near Shannon to consume fuel and lighten the aircraft for landing. After approximately 20 minutes in the hold, an overweight landing was performed on runway 06. The aircraft was brought to a stop on the runway, and was inspected by the Airport Fire Service (AFS), who advised that there was no apparent damage. The aircraft then taxied to its parking stand, where all passengers disembarked normally. No injuries were reported.
The ENG 2 FIRE warning was subsequently found to have been caused by hot, high pressure bleed air escaping into the No. 2 engine compartment as a result of the fatigue failure of a short section of No. 2 engine’s high pressure bleed air ducting.
The full 36-page report is available to read here.
