B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Going through 9;000 FT I heard a loud thump; looked around a little and noted the fire light illuminated. I was still hand flying. The Captain declared an emergency and we carried out the immediate action items for a fire in the right engine. I took radios and plane while the Captain and the Relief Pilot continued working the problem. I re-emphasized the emergency declaration and the fire and gave them the fuel and souls on board (guessing about 205). We got a turn to the airport and asked for a single frequency approach. We were given 4R which I accepted even though it was not the longest runway but I was most familiar with it and it had more than enough length. The fire light didn't go out immediately after both bottles were fired but did go out eventually. The Captain kept working procedures as I hustled towards airport and finished as we were going through 1;000 AGL. We landed and stopped right where the fire trucks were parked; ARFF looked us over and said it was safe to return to gate so we did. Inspection of the engine upon arrival showed extensive fire damage.... estimated time on ground from emergency start about 12 minutes. We were on the gate about 30 minutes after takeoff; including inspection time on runway and long taxi back in. CRM was excellent and ATC immediately provided everything I asked for. ARFF responded to the runway very quickly.
The Captain directed the flying First Officer to continue as pilot flying and to assume ATC communication. From the jump seat I assisted the Captain by communicating with the #1 Flight Attendant; company operations; and also checklist accomplishment.We accepted an immediate approach and landing clearance to the nearest suitable runway following the necessary vectors and descent due to the fact that it appeared we had experienced a genuine engine fire and did not want to be airborne any longer than necessary.
Upon experiencing a loud thump and a R ENG FIRE EICAS warning during the initial climbout the flight crew of a B767-300ER shut down the engine; extinguished the fire; declared an emergency and returned to their departure aiport. Subsequent inspection of the engine revealed evidence of an actual fire.