Lightning Suspected Trigger Of Suppression System In Mx Hangar

A Spirit Airlines maintenance hangar at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (KDTW) in Michigan inadvertently had its foam fire suppression system activated on July 4, resulting in a massive discharge of foam and prompting the airline to remove three of its airliners from service so maintenance teams could inspect them.

Two of the aircraft, and Airbus A321 and A320, were parked inside the hangar and since the hangar doors were open the foam spilled out onto the ramp area where the third aircraft was parked with two others that were apparently unaffected.

The airline said that even with the aircraft removed from service, flight operations and schedules were not affected and would continue normally.

Fire suppressant foam is highly corrosive to aircraft components and systems like engines, electrical bays, and cabin interiors. Aircraft that become engulfed in foam may be down for an extended period as they need to be meticulously inspected and any repairs will need to be made before they are returned to service.

The 126,000 sf hangar is one of Spirit’s primary maintenance facilities. It was built in 2017 at a cost of $32 million and supports both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, engine overhauls, and cabin mods for its Airbus A320 and A321 ceo and neo fleet.

The foam release brought an extensive response by local fire and rescue crews including Wayne County Airport Authority personnel, who spent most of the day washing away the foam.

FMI:  www.spirit.com/