The aircraft was not fitted nor required to be fitted with a crash-resistant fuel system under the current standards or those in place at the time of manufacture. As a result, post-impact fire presents a significant risk of fire-related injuries and fatalities to aircraft occupants.
Response by the United States Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is forming a cross-organisational team to review the topic of post-crash fires and identify potential risk mitigations.
ATSB comment
The ATSB acknowledges the Federal Aviation Administration’s plan to review the issue of post-impact fires. However, as there is no commitment to safety action addressing standards for crash-resistant fuel systems or timeframe, the ATSB is issuing the following safety recommendation.
The ATSB recommends that the United States Federal Aviation Administration take action to address certification requirements for crash-resistant fuel systems for fixed wing aircraft to reduce the risk of post-impact fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, has received and is assessing the ATSB’s final report to develop an appropriate action plan. The FAA anticipates providing an updated response to this safety recommendation by March 31, 2024.
The ATSB appreciates the FAA's initial response and looks forward to further response in March 2024.
As a result of this recommendation, a team of FAA specialists was formed to review the ATSB’s report and, in addition, initiate a study of all National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident reports involving general aviation post-crash fire accidents that occurred between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. The study was completed on November 1, 2023. Currently, the results of the study are being reviewed to determine the FAA’s next actions in addressing this safety recommendation. The FAA anticipate providing an update to this safety recommendation by March 31,
2025.
The ATSB appreciates the work being done by the FAA regarding post-impact fire accidents. We look forward to hearing the results of the study and FAA's next actions.
