Flight Crew Last 90 Days 145
Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft; Human Factors
On departure; somewhere near FL250; we experienced the illumination of the WHEEL WELL Fire Warning light and the fire warning bell sounded. The initial indication lasted approximately four seconds; extinguished briefly; sounded [again] briefly; and then extinguished with no further indications. Though the pilots immediately reached for the QRH; the indications extinguished prior to the accomplishment of Step 1 in the Procedure section of the Wheel Well Fire Checklist. There was a disagreement as to whether the checklist items applied to this specific situation (was there any relief from the procedures); as a result of the indications extinguishing prior to the accomplishment of the first step in the procedural section of the checklist. After voicing his opinion; the First Officer asked the Captain to confirm his decisions with someone outside of the flight deck. Upon reaching the cruise altitude of FL340; the Captain called Company. After a bit of coordination and discussion via radio and ACARS; it was suggested that we land as soon as possible. We complied with no further complications. Note: The new Dispatch Release appears to have taken off the Operations frequencies associated with points along the route. This was a distraction.
A B737-800 Flight Crew had some internal confusion on how to deal with an intermittent wheel well fire warning. They decided to divert as a precaution.