Transportation Safety Board
investigator Don Enns displays Mylar insulation from the
cockpit wreckage of Swissair Flight 111.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board made a series
of recommendations Friday to improve fire safety aboard
aircraft.
The board is calling for better fire-fighting training of
air crew and modifications to aircraft to allow access behind
hidden panels where fires are more likely to spread.
In December 2000, the Canadian Transportation Safety Board
made five recommendations aimed at detecting and suppressing
in-flight fires. It also recommended revising the cockpit
crew’s emergency procedures to save time in the event of a
fire.
In August 2001, the board made three more recommendations
calling for tougher flammability standards in aircraft
material and the enhancement of certification requirements for
aircraft electrical wiring and components.
It also called for automatic or crew activated fire
suppression devices in hidden areas.
In August 1999, the board also recommended the removal of
metalized mylar insulation from aircraft because of
flammability concerns.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration followed suit with
a directive ordering the removal of the insulation but gave
airlines five years to comply.
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