Final answer:
When the LH/RH ENG FIRE PUSH switchlight is pressed, it arms the fire bottle and may initiate engine shutdown procedures to combat an engine fire on an aircraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the LH/RH ENG FIRE PUSH switchlight is pressed on an aircraft, several emergency procedures are typically initiated to tackle a potential engine fire. However, the specific actions can vary slightly depending on the aircraft's design and manufacturer. In general, pressing the switchlight commonly arms the fire bottle, which is a container holding fire-extinguishing agents. Once armed, the fire bottle can be discharged to release these agents and extinguish the fire. This action does not necessarily mean that the fire extinguisher discharges automatically upon pressing the switch; a second action might be required to release the agents. Simultaneously, pressing the switch might also initiate a sequence to shut down the engine immediately, as a safety protocol to prevent fuel from feeding the fire. This generally involves cutting off the fuel supply, deactivating the ignition system, and isolating the engine from the rest of the aircraft systems. In contrast, the switch does not typically test the fire detection system; rather, this is done through a separate test procedure.