Transcript of Hearing 12/12/97 - TWA Flight 800 Investigation

133312As testimony this week has shown, dangerousconditions in fuel tanks occur more commonly than had3been believed,and when the tank is heated, the amount456789101112of energy needed to ignite the vapors dropssignificantly.I welcome the FAA’s willingness to takeanother look and re–evaluate the recommendations onfuel/air mixture volatility made by the NTSB one yearago.I also welcome the Boeing Corporation’sexpressed openness to examine additional ways ofdealing with the dangers of fuel tank vapors suggested13by the Safety Board.I hope this hearing has14151617demonstrated the extensive work that has already beendone by the Boeing and the FAA in this investigation.The NTSB has long advocated a two-trackapproach to the fuel tank problem, pointed up by the18crash of TWA 800.This position is derived in part19from the lessons learned over the years.Thirty years2021222324of accident investigation experience has taught us thevalue of not relying on a single approach to resolvinga serious safety problem.We applaud the work that has been done toremove all potential ignition sources for fuel tank25explosions,but as has been stated frequently at thisCAPITAL HILL REPORTING, INC.(202) 466-9500