WASHINGTON (AP) -- Airlines flying the Boeing 747 have been ordered to keep some fuel in the plane's center tank after the government became concerned that a prematurely aging fuel pump part could throw off sparks if the tank were dry.
The Federal Aviation Administration also ordered airlines flying the 747-400 series, planes unique for their turned-up wing tips, to stop using a fuel tank in the base of the plane's tail for the same reason.While investigators believe the explosion that downed TWA Flight 800 in 1996 was caused by a spark in its empty center fuel tank, the FAA was quick to say that the accident was not caused by the part covered in Thursday's order.
"The reason we say that is because that part was recovered and there was no damage to it," agency spokeswoman Diane Spitaliere said.
Worldwide, there are 1,087 of the jumbo jets. The FAA orders apply only to the 246 U.S.-registered 747s, but foreign aviation bodies typically follow U.S. suggestions on safety matters.
The part involved is a pump shaft bearing. The FAA is concerned that if the pumps are run after the tanks are dry, the metal-on-metal contact could throw off sparks.