said that reviews of the Boeing 747 design after the crash of Flight 800 showed that certain failure modes had not been given enough consideration.But Erickson insisted that the FAA was not applying different standards to existing airplanes and those built in the future. As a practical matter, she. said, it's more feasible to make-certain changes in aircraft before they are built than after they are finished:
"The existing fleet issues are very significant," Erickson said.
"We're requiring an in-depth design review and significant new maintenance tasks. . . . . . But for existing airplanes, there isn't, right now anyway, a feasible solution to addressing fuel vapors."
The agency is studying a system to pump nitrogen into fuel tanks on the ground, which would render the fuel vapors not flammable.
In the meantime, the commercial fleet-of airliners will be getting new maintenance and inspection procedures to keep ignition sources out as the plane ages.