Safety concerns about aging wiring systems in airplanes were brought to the forefront of public and governmental attention by an accident involving a Boeing Model 747-131 airplane, operated as TWA Flight 800, on July 17, 1996. That accident prompted the FAA to initiate investigations into fuel tank wiring, and to strengthen its focus on aging wiring in general. Age is not the sole cause of the wire degradation we call 'aging.' The probability that inadequate maintenance, contamination, improper repair, or mechanical damage has occurred to a particular wiring system will increase over time. To add to existing knowledge about aging wiring, the aging non-structural study team, already in place at the FAA, was expanded. The Aging Transport Non-Structural Systems Plan was begun. To facilitate the completion of the Aging Transport Non-Structural Systems Plan, the FAA established a formal advisory committee in 1999 called the Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC). ATSRAC has gathered data about aging wiring systems and provided the FAA with recommendations on how to better manage them. ATSRAC and the FAA will now distribute this new information to every level of airplane manufacturers, operators, repair stations, and FAA (including engineers and inspectors) to ensure that the highest standards of safety are retained. Voluntary compliance will be encouraged and facilitated, but rulemaking will ensure continuing airworthiness in an aging airplane fleet.
Enhanced Airworthiness Program for Airplane Systems
2001
42 pages
Report
No indication
English
Transportation Safety , Air Transportation , Aeronautics , Civil aviation , Transport aircraft , Airworthiness , Aerodynamic stability , Fire protection , Airplanes , Instruction manuals , Safety , Training , Maintenance , Design strategies , Wire reporting strategies , Information sharing , Outreach strategies , Flight testing , Aircraft landings , Maneuverability , Aerodynamic loading , Wiring systems
Airplane Airworthiness; Transport Categories
NTIS | 1962
Light transport airplane airworthiness review
SLUB | 1978
The control of airplane airworthiness
Engineering Index Backfile | 1928
Light transport airplane airworthiness review
SLUB | 1978
Light transport airplane airworthiness review
SLUB | 1978