Crane to finance inspection of faulty fuel pumps used in Boeing aircraft

Airline Industry Information, Sept 25, 2002

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

Crane Co, the manufacturer of Hydro-Aire fuel pump units, will reportedly pay for the inspection of fuel pumps installed on a number of Boeing Co aircraft.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered all airlines worldwide to check their Boeing aircraft for potentially defective fuel pumps that could cause a fire or an explosion.

The fault affects a batch of fuel pumps used in centre-wing fuel tanks on the Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, 800, -900; 747; and 757 series aircraft. The FAA's directive stated that the pumps could cause an explosion if the fuel tanks run dry because wires were placed too close to a rotor and could chafe. Airlines are now ordering pilots to carry extra fuel to keep the pumps submerged, thus averting the risk of explosion.

Crane will take a charge of about USD4m in the third quarter to cover the cost of a 90-day inspection of the specific type of gear affected by the problem.

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