Date: 201408
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: MD-83
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Turbine Engine
Component problem: Failed; Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Technician
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Human factors: Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Technician
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Other During Engine Runs
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors; Staffing; Procedure
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We had to do an Operational (Ops) Check of the AC Bus Control which involved the engines to be run. I; Mechanic X; was outside the aircraft to clear it for Start. The person in the cockpit; Mechanic Y; proceeded with Engine Start. I soon seen flames coming from the engine which increased quickly. I motioned to Mechanic Y doing engine start of fire. The fire increased and I ran for a nearby ground fire extinguisher about 50-feet away. While I was returning; I called the Lead Mechanic and told him to call and have Fire Department dispatched. When I returned the fire had worsened and it appeared to be coming from the lower cowling at this time. I motioned to the person in the cockpit to blow the fire bottles. I found out later he had no indication in cockpit of fire. He had continued to motor engine which is standard procedure and by the time I had wheeled the fire extinguisher to back of plane the engine had spooled down; but there was still a small fire inside engine. I used the ground fire extinguisher to put out the fire. After reviewing Procedures Manual (PM); we should of had a third person to do engine run.  Engine fire during engine start up.  Unknown what caused excessive fuel in engine to cause this fire. Graveyard.

Callback: Reporter stated the MD-83 has PW JT8D-219 Engines. The electrical A/C Bus Control Unit (BCU) was replaced because the aircraft would not accept Ground Power. Changing the BCU required engine runs to verify Engine Generator output. The Left Engine had an Engine Core fire; not a tailpipe; or inlet; or cowling fire.  Fire with red and blue flames went all the way through the core of the PW-JT8D-219 and melted the engine liner. Some suspect a Burner Can had broken inside the combustion section spraying fuel everywhere. The fire went very fast and flames were reaching into the engine pylon area. The engine was removed and shipped to their Heavy Maintenance Base for teardown and inspection. No current information yet as to the cause of the fire. He has eighteen years aircraft experience.

Second narrative: I was in the process of post replacement of the A/C Bus Control Unit (BCU) Replacement Checks which require the starting of the engines to check engine generator output. I was starting the Left Engine. I had raised the fuel lever and was monitoring the engine parameters. I heard my Guideman yelling. It took a few seconds to understand that he was seeing flames coming from the engine. I shut off the fuel and continued motoring the engine in an attempt to put out any flames. My Guideman indicated that the motoring was not doing any good; and that I should use the Engine Fire Suppression System; I fired the Number-1 Bottle. Not seeing any Fire Warning indication in the cockpit; I looked out of the Left Forward (L1) Door. As I saw flame in the intake; I fired the Number-2 Bottle. Seeing the Guideman getting an external fire extinguisher; I shut down the APU and secured the cockpit. After the incident; we reviewed the Procedures Manual (PM) and saw where we should have used a third person during the Check.  Fire in engine during start procedure.  At this time; cause of fire is unknown. Graveyard.

Second callback: Reporter stated that hand signals were used as communication between himself and the Mechanic on the ground; no hardwire headset communication. No one can explain why the Engine Fire Detection System failed to indicate a fire was occurring. The third person referenced in their Procedures Manual (PM) would have been in the cockpit to assist with the engine runs.

Synopsis: Two Line Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMT) report about an Engine 'Core' fire that spread very quickly inside the Left Engine on an MD-83 aircraft during engine runs. The fire had melted the PW-JT8D-219 engine liner. No Fire Warning Indications were noted in the cockpit during the engine fire.