What is a priority regarding electrical equipment in a cockpit fire?

• A. Power down affected equipment and follow the cockpit Fire/Smoke checklist
• B. Remove all equipment immediately
• C. Ignore equipment until landing
• D. Turn all equipment on to test status

Answer: (A)

When a cockpit electrical fire occurs, the immediate priority is to reduce the energy feeding the fire by shutting down the affected equipment. Powering down those systems minimizes the risk of further electrical faults, lowers heat buildup, and reduces smoke from wiring, making the situation safer to manage. Following the cockpit Fire/Smoke checklist provides a tested, step-by-step approach: identify the affected equipment, de-energize it, isolate the circuits as required, and then proceed with the remaining actions such as managing ventilation, communicating, and continuing with emergency procedures. This method helps preserve essential flight information and avionics while cutting off the fire’s fuel source. Other options either remove too much or too little safety, risk worsening the fire, or ignore the problem until landing, which could be dangerous.