A md-11 cargo compartment fire suppression system alerted and activated at cruise so after visually ...

Attributes
ACN	1015376
Time
Date	201206
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	FO
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-11
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

Narrative:

Aircraft was at cruise FL340 when a fire suppression system alert appeared on glare shield. No other fire indications were present in cockpit; fire suppression system (FSS) main panel in courier section displayed 'fire suppression in progress.' temperature readout showed 451 degrees on panel; a quick inspection of main deck revealed foam overflowing pallet positions 7L and 7R. Informed dispatch of event and the two loading positions of discharge; it was determined one of the two position was loaded at the previous foreign airport. Decision was made to divert. Emergency was declared; proceeded direct to the airport. Uneventful approach and landing; fire truck waiting. Limited assistance with ground personnel; language difficulties; poor satcom and cell phone coverage.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MD-11 cargo compartment Fire Suppression System alerted and activated at cruise so after visually verifying foaming action; an emergency was declared and the flight diverted to a nearby foreign airport.

Narrative: Aircraft was at cruise FL340 when a Fire Suppression System alert appeared on glare shield. No other fire indications were present in cockpit; Fire Suppression System (FSS) main panel in courier section displayed 'Fire Suppression in Progress.' Temperature readout showed 451 degrees on panel; a quick inspection of main deck revealed foam overflowing pallet positions 7L and 7R. Informed Dispatch of event and the two loading positions of discharge; it was determined one of the two position was loaded at the previous foreign airport. Decision was made to divert. Emergency was declared; proceeded direct to the airport. Uneventful approach and landing; fire truck waiting. Limited assistance with ground personnel; language difficulties; poor SATCOM and cell phone coverage.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

A md-11 cargo compartment fire suppression system alerted and activated at cruise so after visually verifying foaming action; an emergency was declared and the flight diverted to a nearby foreign airport.