FAA orders 3,500 Boeing aircraft to fly with extra fuel

Airline Industry Information, Nov 27, 2002

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered about 3,500 Boeing aircraft to fly with extra fuel to prevent overheating in the fuel pumps.

So far no serious problems have been linked to the faulty pumps, however if a pump overheats the right mixture of temperature, oxygen and fuel could cause an explosion. Therefore, the FAA - which has sent airlines three safety warnings about the problem since August 2002 - has implemented the precautionary measure while it conducts investigations into the pumps, made by Hydro-Aire Inc.

According to an FAA spokesperson, the extra fuel eliminates the possibility of an explosion, and is required until the agency determines the cause of the problem, reported The Associated Press.

The order affects Boeing 737s, 747s and 757s and covers about 1,400 aircraft flown by US carriers.

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