In the event of a cabin fire in flight, what is the first step?

In the event of a cabin fire in flight, the first step is to activate the fire extinguisher. This is crucial because it enables the pilot to immediately address the danger posed by the fire, which can rapidly spread and compromise the safety of everyone on board. By using the fire extinguisher, the pilot is taking direct action to suppress or extinguish the flames, which helps buy time and control the situation.

Activating the extinguisher also aids in preventing smoke and flames from reaching other critical areas of the aircraft, thereby maintaining a safer environment for both the crew and passengers. Once the fire is being mitigated, the pilot can then assess other necessary actions, such as notifying air traffic control, preparing for an emergency landing if needed, or closing cabin vents to prevent the spread of smoke.

It's essential to focus on quickly addressing the fire itself before considering other steps, as the fire poses an immediate risk that needs to be managed as soon as possible. Other options, like closing cabin vents or landing the plane, may be necessary but become secondary to taking action against the fire first.