JAL A350 collision & fire

[cdnavater]

I thought it was interesting that ARFF was unable to knock down this largely composite fire, burned for hours. Looks like they burn similar to EV's once lit.

I’ve never seen a fire hydrant airside, so from that I assume the ARFF are not equipped with enough fluid to extinguish a large fire. I figure they are only trying to slow it down enough for everyone to escape, after that they let her burn.

[Eric Janson]

I’ve never seen a fire hydrant airside, so from that I assume the ARFF are not equipped with enough fluid to extinguish a large fire. I figure they are only trying to slow it down enough for everyone to escape, after that they let her burn.

That makes sense - no point in risking lives once everyone is off the aircraft. There is still a risk of a fuel tank explosion.

The smoke/fumes are probably toxic as well.

Hopefully the final report will provide clarity.

[pelmet]

I’ve never seen a fire hydrant airside, so from that I assume the ARFF are not equipped with enough fluid to extinguish a large fire. I figure they are only trying to slow it down enough for everyone to escape, after that they let her burn.

That makes sense - no point in risking lives once everyone is off the aircraft. There is still a risk of a fuel tank explosion.

The smoke/fumes are probably toxic as well.

Hopefully the final report will provide clarity.

Perhaps they conserve foam/water in case there is another separate accident. If they get low enough on firefighting capability, airport restrictions can come into effect depending on the firefighting category.

[goldeneagle]

Perhaps they conserve foam/water in case there is another separate accident. If they get low enough on firefighting capability, airport restrictions can come into effect depending on the firefighting category.

If they are fighting a fire on the runway, airport is already closed so that wont matter.

[pelmet]

Perhaps they conserve foam/water in case there is another separate accident. If they get low enough on firefighting capability, airport restrictions can come into effect depending on the firefighting category.

If they are fighting a fire on the runway, airport is already closed so that wont matter.

True, but I don't know how long it takes to get back up to proper levels of foam. The airport would likely open as soon as possible(such as the next day). It would be interesting to hear from an airport firefighter about replenishment times for firefighting capability or what the policy is for firefighting when the aircraft has been completely evacuated.

In addition, the airport could continue to allow aircraft to taxi to the gate or be towed. Accidents do happen with ground ops such as the recent fire on an AC 777 in Montreal with a baggage loader and ground collisions. It might look rather silly if the whole terminal burnt down or a cargo area building because all foam was discharged. In other words, a closed airport is not an airport without activity where a fire could happen.

Fire while taxiing:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat ... /74808356/

Fire while loading:
https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2023 ... in-flames/

Fire while refueling:
https://twitter.com/OnDisasters/status/ ... 0150135808

APU fire:
https://reports.aviation-safety.net/201 ... UR-CAG.pdf

Fire in the Terminal:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=airport+ ... dy6hxP9iAM

[boeingboy]

Perhaps they conserve foam/water in case there is another separate accident. If they get low enough on firefighting capability, airport restrictions can come into effect depending on the firefighting category.

If they are fighting a fire on the runway, airport is already closed so that wont matter.

True, but I don't know how long it takes to get back up to proper levels of foam. The airport would likely open as soon as possible(such as the next day). It would be interesting to hear from an airport firefighter about replenishment times for firefighting capability or what the policy is for firefighting when the aircraft has been completely evacuated.

In addition, the airport could continue to allow aircraft to taxi to the gate or be towed. Accidents do happen with ground ops such as the recent fire on an AC 777 in Montreal with a baggage loader and ground collisions. It might look rather silly if the whole terminal burnt down or a cargo area building because all foam was discharged. In other words, a closed airport is not an airport without activity where a fire could happen.

Fire while taxiing:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat ... /74808356/

Fire while loading:
https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2023 ... in-flames/

Fire while refueling:
https://twitter.com/OnDisasters/status/ ... 0150135808

APU fire:
https://reports.aviation-safety.net/201 ... UR-CAG.pdf

Fire in the Terminal:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=airport+ ... dy6hxP9iAM

All airports I've been to are always backed up by city firefighters, and there is always a staion close by. It's never just left to the airport ARFF

[pelmet]

If they are fighting a fire on the runway, airport is already closed so that wont matter.

True, but I don't know how long it takes to get back up to proper levels of foam. The airport would likely open as soon as possible(such as the next day). It would be interesting to hear from an airport firefighter about replenishment times for firefighting capability or what the policy is for firefighting when the aircraft has been completely evacuated.

In addition, the airport could continue to allow aircraft to taxi to the gate or be towed. Accidents do happen with ground ops such as the recent fire on an AC 777 in Montreal with a baggage loader and ground collisions. It might look rather silly if the whole terminal burnt down or a cargo area building because all foam was discharged. In other words, a closed airport is not an airport without activity where a fire could happen.

Fire while taxiing:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat ... /74808356/

Fire while loading:
https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2023 ... in-flames/

Fire while refueling:
https://twitter.com/OnDisasters/status/ ... 0150135808

APU fire:
https://reports.aviation-safety.net/201 ... UR-CAG.pdf

Fire in the Terminal:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=airport+ ... dy6hxP9iAM

All airports I've been to are always backed up by city firefighters, and there is always a staion close by. It's never just left to the airport ARFF

Thanks,

That makes sense. But I suspect that an airport can't get back into operation with only city fire trucks.

If anybody knows an airport firefighter, perhaps they could find out what the details are about all this.