In a fire during taxiing, what is the action of the first crew member who sees the fire?

• A. Stop the aircraft there is a fire "location"
• B. Continue taxiing
• C. Evacuate immediately
• D. Inform the Captain after crew confirmation

Answer: (A)

When a fire is spotted on the ground while taxiing, the first priority is to quickly isolate and control the hazard by stopping the aircraft at the fire location. This confines the fire to a fixed point, cuts off the air supply to the fire, and prevents fuel from continuing to feed it as the aircraft moves. Stopping also creates a safe, stable environment for the crew to coordinate with fire services, shut down power and fuel sources, and follow the established emergency procedures.

Continuing to taxi would spread flames and smoke, increasing danger to the aircraft and nearby people. Evacuation isn’t the immediate action, because you first need to secure the aircraft and ensure it’s safe to evacuate; rushing evacuation before controlling the fire can put passengers and crew at greater risk. Promptly informing the captain and fire response is essential, but the very first step is to stop the aircraft at the fire’s location so responders can work effectively.