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FULL DISCLOSURE - I am not a pilot . I couldn ’ t handle the responsibility . A bad pre-flight check , for example , can have serious consequences . There is so much to remember !
So I see how a fire extinguisher might be overlooked . For a Part 91 pilot at least , an extinguisher is not always required equipment . In this article I make the case that a halon fire extinguisher is a must for your plane and hangar . I also explain how you can ensure that it is ready when you “ NEED IT NOW !”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Get a clean agent fire extinguisher – NOT a dry chemical .
• Halon is the most effective , least expensive clean agent .
• Your extinguisher should be UL listed , with metal parts for key components .
• Mount the extinguisher within reach .
• Regularly inspect and maintain your extinguisher
EXAMPLES :
• A Piper Archer pilot preparing for takeoff , over-primed the engine on a cold day leading to the ignition of pooled fuel .
• An improperly capped terminal lug on the landing gear hydraulic pump of a Cessna 172 caused a horrific in-flight fire . See the re-enactment here : https :// youtu . be / kOfovyrKHss
• Worn insulation on electrical wiring caused a short that sparked accumulated dust and grime on a kit plane in flight .
• A compression fitting connecting the brake line to the brake failed on a Cessna 182 . When the pilot pressed the brake pedal upon landing , brake fluid squirted onto the hot brake disk causing a fire .
The Aging GA fleet doesn ’ t help . WHAT YOU CAN DO
The average age of a GA aircraft is 50 years . Parts fatigue , crack • Maintain your aircraft and break over time . Flammable • Get a fire extinguisher dust and grime built up . The best thing you can do to reduce the chances of an aircraft fire is to make sure that your aircraft is properly maintained .
The next best thing to do is to make sure you have functioning extinguisher of the correct type and size in your plane and in your hangar .
What type of extinguisher do you need ? There are several things to consider when deciding on a fire extinguisher for your plane . Is an extinguisher listed on the IPC / Owner ’ s manual of your aircraft ? If it is , you have your answer . Get that one !
Why you need a fire extinguisher
I ’ ve heard many hair-raising aviation fire stories over the years . To start and grow , a fire needs fuel , oxygen , and heat - elements that are everywhere in General Aviation .
Fires happen before takeoff , in-flight , and after landing .
E3AVIATION . COM