The findings that part of the wiring system was the ignition source for both accidents led to an extensive investigation of wiring systems and, in late 2007, the release of FAR 25. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada determined the crash was a result of “in-flight fire leading to electrical failure, spatial disorientation and crew distraction. Instead of an explosion, the MD-11 experienced a fire that quickly spread, disabling avionics and eventually causing the crash. Swissair flight 111 also left New York’s JFK airport, bound for Geneva, Switzerland. Just over two years later on Septema tragically similar accident took the lives of another 229 people. The source of ignition energy for the explosion could not be determined with certainty, but, of the sources evaluated by the investigation, the most likely was a short circuit outside of the CWT that allowed excessive voltage to enter it through electrical wiring associated with the fuel quantity indication system. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the TWA flight 800 accident was an explosion of the center wing fuel tank (CWT), resulting from ignition of the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank. The NTSB listed the cause of the accident as: Just 12 minutes later, the Boeing 747 exploded and crashed, killing 230 passengers and crew. The plane departed JFK airport in New York. The first fatal crash occurred on July 17, 1996. Both crashes were, in part, blamed on arcing of electrical wiring which subsequently caused an onboard fire. Then, in the span of just over two years, two major crashes claimed the lives of all on board the two aircraft. Until recently, wiring was not thought to be a significant safety risk on passenger jets. The key to meeting the mandate in a cost-effective fashion is planning so that appropriate processes and tools can be in place. Then, an EWIS strategy must be defined and instituted. From the perspective of the company attempting to comply with the mandate, a re-evaluation of the current program should be the starting point. The mandate is far reaching and open to some interpretation. Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 25, Subpart H as a precursor to type certification for all transport category aircraft. T he electrical wiring interconnect systems (EWIS) requirement is mandated in U.S. OctoPlanning is the Key to Meeting the Mandate
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