CAA says Concorde has one in a billion chance of crashing

Airline Industry Information, Sept 7, 2001

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) indicated that there was less than a 'one in a billion chance' of the supersonic Concorde aircraft being involved in a crash following new modifications made to the jet.

The CAA's head of design and production standards, Mike Bell, told PA News on 6 September that the aircraft now had bullet-proof fuel tank liners, stronger tyres and armoured wiring. He also stated that the pilot of the Air France Concorde that crashed on 25 July 2000, killing 113 people, could not have done anything to prevent the crash once one of the Concorde's engines had caught fire. Bell said that the development of a new tyre by Michelin had been central to the Concorde regaining airworthiness.

The CAA's assurances come one day after British and French aviation regulators decided to return the Concorde's airworthiness certificate once the new modifications are in place. British Airways is expected to resume Concorde services in October, and has already completed changes to one of its aircraft, with two others currently undergoing similar work.

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