Narrative:

On taxi out; the aircraft behind us reported fire and smoke in engine number two tailpipe. We determined no cockpit indication of fire. We accomplished the severe engine damage qrc and subsequent QRH. We shut down the number two engine; pulled the number 2 fire handle; and disconnected the autothrottle. No other actions were required of the QRH. The first officer requested fire trucks to inspect the engine. I communicated with the flight attendants and passengers regarding the situation at hand. I asked the lead flight attendant to visually inspect the tailpipe of the number two engine. She reported back to me that there was some residual smoke but no fire. We established communication with fire and rescue. Fire and rescue and maintenance visually inspected the aircraft. They reported back that the smoke had subsided. After approximately 10 to 15 minutes; they gave us approval to connect the tug and safely proceed to gate. The APU was started; and engine number one was also shut down. The flight attendants advised on debrief that the overall atmosphere in the cabin was calm throughout the event. The taxi back to gate was uneventful.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737NG flight crew reported shutting down the Number 2 engine after smoke and flames were reported by another aircraft.

Narrative: On taxi out; the aircraft behind us reported fire and smoke in engine number two tailpipe. We determined no cockpit indication of fire. We accomplished the Severe Engine Damage QRC and subsequent QRH. We shut down the number two engine; pulled the number 2 fire handle; and disconnected the autothrottle. No other actions were required of the QRH. The First Officer requested fire trucks to inspect the engine. I communicated with the Flight Attendants and passengers regarding the situation at hand. I asked the Lead Flight Attendant to visually inspect the tailpipe of the number two engine. She reported back to me that there was some residual smoke but no fire. We established communication with Fire and Rescue. Fire and Rescue and Maintenance visually inspected the aircraft. They reported back that the smoke had subsided. After approximately 10 to 15 minutes; they gave us approval to connect the tug and safely proceed to gate. The APU was started; and engine number one was also shut down. The Flight Attendants advised on debrief that the overall atmosphere in the cabin was calm throughout the event. The taxi back to gate was uneventful.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.