Following the tragic accident of TWA flight 800 a huge industry wide investigation took place.
The four-year NTSB investigation concluded with the approval of the Aircraft Accident Report on August 23, 2000, ending the most extensive, complex, and costly air disaster investigation in United States history.
The report’s conclusion was that the probable cause of the accident was an explosion of flammable fuel/air vapors in a fuel tank, and, although it could not be determined with certainty, the most likely cause of the explosion was an electrical short circuit.
Sofema Aviation Services delivers Fuel Tank Safety Training in accordance with the requirements of EASA including an examination. The purpose of the Sofema Aviation Services Fuel Tank Safety Training is :- To provide a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory requirement for effective FTS compliance, to provides a thorough grounding in the understanding of FTS related issues, to consider specific organizational issues and responsibilities to maintain compliance and to promote best practices and motivation within your organization.
The SAS FTS Training is delivered at Level 2 which is a detailed training to meet the requirements for personnel involved in EASA Part M or EASA Part 145 Organisations.
Including those persons required to manage and review the continuing airworthiness of aircraft and personnel required to plan, perform, supervise, inspect and certify the maintenance of the affected aircraft and fuel system components.
The level 2 Aviation Fuel Tank Safety Training is comprehensive and includes all elements of level 1 the training uses best training practices and challenges the students to fully understand the change of behaviour required in the work place.
Subjects covered include an understanding of the background and the behaviour of the explosions of mixtures of fuel and air, the behaviour of those mixtures in an aviation environment, the effects of temperature and pressure, energy needed for ignition etc, the ‘fire triangle’, As required by EASA a comprehensive overview is provided including – SFAR 88 of the FAA and JAA Interim Policy INT POL 25/12: ignition prevention program initiatives and goals, to identify unsafe conditions and to correct them, to systematically improve fuel tank maintenance), JAA Temporary Guidance Leaflet
TGL 47.
Also covered during the training is all the basic elements of the fuel tank safety issues – Understanding of the background and the concept of fuel tank safety, Interpreting ICAW Instructions for continuing airworthiness including case studies of Accidents & Incidents.
Major subjects covered include the need for Mitigation Strategies – Ignition source prevention, and FRS -Flammability Reduction systems when installed: reason for their presence, their effects, the hazards of an FRS using nitrogen for maintenance, safety precautions in maintenance/working with an FRS.
In addition to the mandatory required topics regarding Aviation Fuel Tank Safety Training, time is spent on the following Recording & Reporting – The Link to SMS and the methods used to record and if necessary report findings.
Also included is an understanding of the role and development of procedures in the work place.
If you would like to arrange an Aircraft Fuel Tank Safety Course provided by Sofema Aviation Services, please email office@sassofia.com or visit www.sassofia.com
