askvity

How hot is an airplane fire?

Published in Airplane Fire Temperatures 1 min read

An airplane fire, fueled by jet fuel, can reach extremely high temperatures. According to the reference provided, the open-air burn temperature for jet fuel like Jet A and Jet A-1 is 1,030 °C (1,890 °F).

Here's a breakdown of what contributes to the fire's heat:

  • Type of Fuel: Jet fuel such as Jet A and Jet A-1 are commonly used in airplanes.
  • Flash Point: Jet A and Jet A-1 have flash points above 38 °C (100 °F).
  • Autoignition Temperature: These fuels possess a high autoignition temperature of up to 210 °C (410 °F).
  • Open-Air Burn Temperature: The sustained burning of these fuels in open air produces very high temperatures.
Fuel Type Flash Point (°C/°F) Autoignition Temperature (°C/°F) Open-Air Burn Temperature (°C/°F)
Jet A Above 38 / 100 Up to 210 / 410 1,030 / 1,890
Jet A-1 Above 38 / 100 Up to 210 / 410 1,030 / 1,890

It's important to remember that these are approximate temperatures and can vary based on specific conditions and the type of materials burning.

Related Articles