Huh?

[Tomo]

Reading the POH for a Cessna 172M (what I fly) and in the Emergency procedures section about Fires:

 

It says -

 

Engine fire during start on Ground

 

 

 

(1) Cranking -- CONTINUE, to get a start which would suck the flames and accumulated fuel through the carburetor and into the engine.

 

 

 

If engine starts:

 

 

 

(2) Power -- 1700 rpm for a few minutes.

 

(3) Engine -- Shutdown and inspect for damage.

 

 

 

If engine fails to start:

 

 

 

(4) Throttle -- Full open.

 

(5) Mixture -- Idle cut off.

 

(6) Cranking -- Continue for two or three minutes.

 

(7) Fire Extinguisher -- Obtain

 

(8) Engine -- Secure

 

a. Master switch -- Off.

 

b. ignition switch -- Off

 

c. Fuel shutoff valve -- Off

 

(9) Fire -- Extinguish using fire extinguisher, seat cushion, wool blanket, or dirt. If practical try to remove carburetor air filter if it is ablaze.

 

(10) Fire Damage -- Inspect, repair damage or replace damaged components or wiring before conducting another flight.

 

 

That's all good, but cranking it for two or three minutes?? Poor starter! not to mention over heating of battery, cables and the starter itself. 2,3 minutes is a long time! Seems a little unusual I thought?

 

 

[djpacro]

My 172N POH does not state to crank for 2 or 3 minutes.

 

 

[Tomo]

Mm yeah, what does it say?

 

This is a generic print, not the real thing, so maybe a typo?

 

 

[PapaFox]

Can confirm N model POH just states:

 

(6) Cranking -- CONTINUE

 

 

[djpacro]

Its a little vague so you need to decide on your best course of action depending on what you know about the fire:

 

Advice on one page that cranking sucks flames and fuel into the engine.

 

But if it doesn't start - throttle wide and mixture ICO but continue to crank.

 

Switches, fuel etc off.

 

Get a fire extinguisher, blanket etc to put the fire out.

 

From memory the Worrier POH has similar notes. Darky will know - its in the same section as avoiding eagles.

 

Decathlon POM has some useful advice - crank as above but if fire persists or is not limited to intake or exhaust then switches etc off and exit (an excellent idea as wood and fabric burns very rapidly).

 

 

[Owi]

Can confirm N model POH just states:(6) Cranking -- CONTINUE

Yep, agree. Also same wording in C152 POH. I reckon that's superfluous wording added somewhere along the line. Unless the engine in the M type has this unique-ness?

 

 

[kaz3g]

"...if fire persists or is not limited to intake or exhaust then switches etc off and exit (an excellent idea as wood and fabric burns very rapidly)"

 

Absolutely! In the Auster I sit on one tank and have the other over my knees.

 

kaz

 

 

[farri]

Ok guys I know,I know,we should try and be serious.

 

My brother inlaw drove a fuel tanker for Shell most of his life and was once asked by an inspector, "What steps would you take in the event of a fire".

 

I kid you not, he replied......." Bloody great big ones".

 

Frank.