DOT OA:

Federal Aviation Administration

Preliminary Title:

Peer Review of the FAA Fuel Tank Safety Study and the FAA Fuel Tank Flammability Assessment Method

Subject and Purpose:

1. Fuel Tank Safety Study: The FAA has contracted with Sandia National Laboratories to conduct an independent study (the "Fuel Tank Safety Study") to validate FAA assumptions regarding the effectiveness of SFAR 88.  The goal of this project is to assess the overall and individual effectiveness of the FAA Airworthiness Directives (ADs) contained in SFAR 88.  This study will also identify the significance of unsafe fuel tank flammability conditions and any remaining risks from those design and maintenance issues not addressed by the ADs.

2. Fuel Tank Flammability Assessment Method: The FAA developed a fuel tank flammability assessment method ("Monte Carlo Model") for industry to use when determining compliance with FAA flammability requirements.  The goal was to provide standardized engineering assessment method for determining the flammability exposure of airplane fuel tanks.  An industry advisory group initially developed the Monte Carlo Model in 1998.  The FAA incorporated changes to the model to address issues with the original model and to reflect additional fuel tank flammability data developed since 1998.  The FAA produced a draft Fuel Tank Flammability Assessment Method User’s Manual that documents the FAA model and provides instructions using the model. 

The Peer Review will measure the design, administration, and findings of the Fuel Tank Safety Study and the Fuel Tank Flammability Assessment Method. 

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Peer Review Plan: 

The Peer Review Plan is still being developed.  The preliminary plan includes the following elements:

(1) The peer review is scheduled to begin October 2005.

(2) This review will likely be facilitated by a panel administered by a Center of Excellence, operating independently of the FAA.

(3) Two separate panels will be selected to evaluate the Fuel Tank Safety Study and the Fuel Tank Flammability Assessment Method. 

(4) FAA will publish the Peer Review Report on the DOT Docket within two weeks of its issuance (scheduled for November 2005).

(5) All public comments will be made available to the peer reviewers.

(6) We expect to have 3-5 peer reviewers.

(7) The peer reviewers should have expertise including, but not limited to risk assessment, fuel tank design, and petroleum flammability.

(8) The plan for selecting the peer reviewers is still under development.  Reviewers will be designated by an outside organization.

(9) The plan to nominate peer reviewers is still being developed. Scientific and professional societies and the public could be asked to nominate peer reviewers.

Contact person:

Mr. Mike Kaszycki

E-mail:

Mike.Kaszycki@faa.gov

Phone:

(425) 227-2137