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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-engine-fire-fuel-off

Unless the POH says otherwise, what is the first step for an engine fire in flight?

Shut off the fuel: mixture to idle cutoff and fuel selector off.

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  1. Turn the ignition switch off
  2. Shut off fuel: mixture idle cutoff, fuel selector off ✔
  3. Climb to blow the fire out

Why: Starving the engine of fuel may let the fire die. The AFH says leave the ignition on so the engine burns the fuel still in the lines, and never try to restart it.

Huh, didn't know that: Thick black smoke suggests an oil-fed fire, while bright orange flames suggest a fuel-fed fire.

The dad joke
My engine was on fire, so I cut off its fuel. It's on a strict diet now.
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References

Answer: Shut off fuel: mixture idle cutoff, fuel selector off. Starving the engine of fuel may let the fire die. The AFH says leave the ignition on so the engine burns the fuel still in the lines, and never try to restart it.

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C, Chapter 18 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/19_afh_ch18.pdf
    placing the mixture control in the idle cut off position and the fuel selector shutoff valve to the OFF position.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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