NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2001

The long-awaited rules address safety recommendations from the 1996 TWA 800 accident off the coast of Long Island, which killed 230. The rules will require more inspections of tanks and revamped designs, the newspaper said.

The aviation agency has estimated the changes will cost airlines about $170 million.

The FAA estimated that without any changes the world's airlines could expect a fuel-tank explosion once every 4 1/2 years.

Officials hope the new fuel-tank rules will stretch the time between explosions to about 15 years.

One of the steps being taken to reduce the risks is an effort to get airlines to decrease use of on-board air conditioners, which heat fuel tanks. Last week, the FAA also issued an emergency order to shut off pumps in empty 737 tanks.

Three jets have been destroyed by center fuel tank explosions since 1990.

On March 3, one person died when a Thai Airways International jet parked at a terminal in Bangkok was destroyed.

Investigators for the National Transportation Safety Board say preliminary evidence shows the jet's center fuel tank exploded.

Copyright 2001 by United Press International.

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