Boeing faces US$13.6 million FAA fines for tardy fuel tank retrofit manuals

BOEING faces fines of US$13.6 million if it fails to respond to charges from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within 30 days over tardy delivery of service manuals on retrofitting aircraft fuel tanks with safety features.

The delayed service manuals of instruction detail how to fit devices to reduce risk of explosion from vapour by replacing the oxygen in the fuel tank with non-flammable nitrogen gas.

Failure to deliver these instructions allegedly delayed retrofitting of tanks on 383 Boeing aircraft and current deadline for half of fleet by 2014 and all by 2017 ordered by the FAA.

The deadline is expected to be met, and Boeing has been advised that no extension is likely for completion of all retrofits. but the FAA may consider extension of the 2014 deadline.

The Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer delivered instructions for its 747s more than 301 days late and some 406 days late for its 757s after a December 2007 deadline was set by the FAA.

The action was initiated following the TWA 800 accident in 1996, causing the company to face company a preliminary civil penalty of US$13.6 million.

Acting FAA administrator Michael Huerta said since the TWA 800 accident in 1996, it has issued "hundreds of directives to eliminate fuel ignition sources over the past 16 years, and this step will add another layer of safety."