Safety Topics: Engine Fire Damage

A Boeing 776–200ER took off from Heathrow for a direct flight to New York and during the take‐off, smoke was seen by a ground observer to be coming from the left engine. This smoke was described as similar in appearance to that emitted by “old technology” engines such as those installed in Boeing 707 aircraft and was seen to persist until the aircraft entered cloud. As the aircraft was passing FL180 in the climb, the left engine fire warning system operated twice for very short periods. All engine instrument indications were normal but the commander detailed a member of the cabin staff to make a visual inspection of the left engine from the main cabin. As the aircraft was approaching FL210 and before the commander had received a report from the cabin attendant, the left engine fire warning system operated once more and this time persisted.