Potential Fuel-System Issues Affect Hundreds Of Aircraft

A little-reported proposal from the FAA could have ramifications for a number of airlines. Last week, the FAA issued a notice for customers flying a variety of Boeing airliners, ordering them to check for a potential fuel-system problem.

The proposed notice calls for checks for possible air leaks that "could result in multiengine flameout," which may result in "an inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane."

The Wall Street Journal first reported the issue, which applies to over 3,500 aircraft in US service... though both Boeing and the FAA say many planes have already been checked. The Everett (WA) Herald added the order applies to 737s, 747s and 777s.

The checks are not considered a high-priority safety measure at this time, the FAA added.

The FAA cites engine stoppages on six Boeing aircraft between 2002 and 2004. Some of those incidents occurred in-flight, while others occurred during ground operations. None of those incidents resulted in any accidents; Boeing has since redesigned the troublesome fuel system componentry.

The FAA hastened to add the problem is not related to the January landing mishap involving a British Airways 777... despite apparent similarities to the problems cited by the agency, and those cited in the British investigation. As ANN reported, in that January 17 accident the aircraft's twin turbofans spooled down on approach to Heathrow, and did not answer to commands from the plane's autopilot, and then the flight crew, to throttle up.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.boeing.com