Aircraft’s fire engine warning was ‘unnecessary’

AN unnecessary fire warning has caused an aircraft incident involving a PNG Air aircraft at Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen, Western Highland on Dec 23, 2020, PNG Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) says.
PNGAIC acting chief commissioner Captain Aria Bouraga said the ATR 72-212A aircraft, registered P2-ATB had an inflight engine fire warning indication while turning onto the left base at the airport.
In a report released on Monday, Capt Bouraga said the engine fire warning and alarm observed by the crew was an undue alarm.
He said the investigation confirmed that the alarm activation was a result of the aircraft being on a steep descent in the landing configuration with power lever flight idle.
These were the flight condition criteria specified by the manufacturer as conducive to an engine fire warning.
According to the report, the ventilation was reduced causing the temperature to increase.
When it reached the engine fire warning specifications, the fire warning alarm was triggered.
The investigation also found that the flight condition criteria specified by the manufacturer was not disseminated by the operator (PNG Air Ltd) to intend any personnel within the organisation, including the pilots on board the flight.
“The AIC has completed this investigation and have published the final report in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 2000 (as Amended) and pursuant to Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation,” Bouraga said.