0. Ali Bahrami – FAA Pascal Medal - EASA
Fuel Tank Safety
Ali Bahrami – FAA
Pascal Medal - EASA

1. Overview Background Harmonization Goals
Ignition Source Prevention Status
Flammability Reduction Status

2. Fuel Tank Safety - Background
Inerting
Studies
Started
ARAC 2
FAA FRS Demonstrator
ARAC 1
FRS Implementation
Flammability Reduction
1996
Today
2004 +
Ignition Prevention
PAL 737
TWA 800
NTSB
TWA 800
Hearing
SFAR 88 Rule
SFAR 88 Changes Available
First AD’s released
THAI
737
SFAR 88 Reviews

3. SFAR 88 Lessons Learned
Goal of SFAR 88 was to preclude ignition sources
Safety Assessments were very valuable
Design reviews revealed unexpected ignition sources
Difficulty in identifying all ignition sources
Number of previously unknown failures found
Continuing threat from still unknown failures
Unrealistic to expect we can eliminate all ignition sources
Must consider flammability reduction of high flammability tanks as an integral part of system safety

4. Balanced Approach with Flammability Reduction
Flammability Reduction significantly reduces hole size in flammability layer, virtually eliminating future accidents.
HAZARD
ACCIDENT
Ignition Prevention Layer
- Some holes eliminated (e.g. design changes to preclude single failures)
- Other holes reduced in size (human factors/ maintenance issues, unknowns, etc.)
Flammability Layer
Reducing flammability exposure significantly reduces holes (flammability reduction)
Small holes remain due to system performance, dispatch relief, system reliability, etc.
ACCIDENT PREVENTED!
SFAR 88
Flammability Reduction / Low Flammability

5. Fleet Average Flammability Exposure Typical Tanks with Jet A Fuel
Main Wing Tanks 2-4%
Tail Tanks 2-4%
Body Tanks
Un-pressurized >20%
Pressurized <5%
Center Wing Tank with Adjacent Pack Bays 15-20%
Center Wing Tanks without Pack Bays 4-7%

6. Harmonization Goal
To establish mutually acceptable positions between the FAA and EASA related to fuel tank safety, working within the requirements of the existing and developing rules and policies, while respecting the responsibilities of the State of Design:
Resulting in a common solution set for the operators, and
Facilitating transfer of airplanes from country-to-country with minimal impact on operators.

7. Harmonization Process
FAA and EASA have closed SFAR 88 open issues
FAA and EASA are coordinating common SFAR 88 closure letters that will be sent to manufacturers
Weekly internal FAA team meetings to monitor all fuel tank safety activity
EASA internal team coordination
Biweekly FAA, EASA and TCCA telecons to continue and reinforce harmonization effort

8. Ignition Prevention Status
Ignition prevention safety reviews completed
Design changes have been identified
Common solution set agreed
TC holders are preparing service bulletins and ADs are being issued

9. Ignition Prevention – Operating Requirements
Operating rules compliance dates extended
FAA/EASA had required incorporation of maintenance program changes by December 2004
FAA notice extended compliance date to December 2008
EASA plans to extend operating rule compliance date
December 2005 for Airworthiness Limitations (ALIs, CDCCLs)
December 2006 for other maintenance information
Harmonized SFAR 88 maintenance policy memo published; EASA equivalent being prepared
ADs being issued for safety critical maintenance
ALIs, CDCCLs
Not all TC holders have developed maintenance instructions required by SFAR 88/JAA-EASA policy

10. Flammability Reduction Harmonization Status
FAA and EASA agree on flammability reduction measures for new production airplanes and future designs
FAA and EASA continue to work toward common retrofit position
Plan agreed for working toward harmonization
FAA plans to propose a flammability reduction rule later this year 2005
Special conditions are harmonized
FAA issued final rule 747 special conditions January 24, 2005
EASA finalizing their final rule special conditions
Harmonized special conditions will be issued for other certification projects

11. Summary
Balanced approach of ignition prevention and reduced flammability can provide a substantial improvement in fuel tank safety
Reducing flammability is now practical
Ignition prevention still major protection strategy
Combined strategies should virtually eliminate risk of future fuel tank explosions
FAA and EASA have been working to harmonize fuel tank safety programs
Ignition prevention actions are harmonized
Significant progress made in harmonizing flammability reduction
Reached agreement on flammability reduction standards for in- production aircraft and new designs
Plan agreed for working toward agreement on retrofit