Aircraft fuel tanks found to be safe

Airline Industry Information, August 17, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Airline industry trade groups have stated that aircraft fuel tanks are safe following the release of a three-year study.

The study into aircraft fuel tanks resulted from the crash of TWA flight 800, which exploded on 17 July 1996 and crashed off the coast of Long Island, New York, killing all 230 people onboard. Whilst the official cause of the crash remains undecided investigators believe that the Boeing 747's centre fuel tank may have exploded, but do not know what caused the ignition. The US National Transportation Safety Board is due to hold a meeting about the crash next week.

A study was launched into aircraft fuel systems by the Air Transport Association and the Aerospace Industries Association, which found that the fuel tanks systems are soundly designed and do not degrade over time, although there is some suggestion that wiring may degrade over time.

The study has resulted in a series of suggestions for improvements, including better maintenance instructions, periodic inspections for fuel quantity measurement wiring, the periodic inspection of fuel pumps and their wiring, inspection of fuel lines and fittings and a review of the use of metal conduits in fuel tanks according to the Associated Press.

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