Safety Information BulletinEASA SIB 2010-10R1

Fuel Tank Safety — Flammability Reduction System (FRS) for High Flammability Exposure Fuel Tanks

Published: Nov 28, 2014
Deadline: Jan 1, 2012
Replaces: 2010-10

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators and National Aviation Authorities should verify that affected Airbus and Boeing aircraft produced from January 1, 2012, are equipped with FRS in their center wing tanks. The FRS must remain installed and can only be dispatched inoperative if allowed by the approved Master Minimum Equipment List. No retrofit action is currently mandated for in-service aircraft, but stakeholders should monitor any future regulatory updates.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2010-10R1 is an informational document addressing fuel tank safety through the introduction of Flammability Reduction Systems (FRS) for high flammability exposure fuel tanks. It applies to Airbus A318, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340 and Boeing 737, 767, and 777 aircraft with center wing tanks manufactured from January 1, 2012. The bulletin provides background on the safety improvements following the TWA Flight 800 accident and outlines regulatory requirements for new production aircraft fuel tanks.

What changed

This revision of SIB 2010-10 communicates the EASA Executive Director Decision 2014/024/R, which mandates that all new production large transport aeroplanes with fuel tanks exhibiting high flammability exposure must be fitted with FRS starting from January 1, 2012. It clarifies that FRS installation is now part of the minimum aircraft configuration and updates the relevant Type Certificate Data Sheets accordingly. The document also confirms that retrofit of FRS on in-service aircraft is not currently required.

Why it matters

This bulletin is important for aviation professionals because it defines the safety standards for fuel tank flammability reduction on new production aircraft, directly impacting aircraft design, certification, and operational compliance. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure that FRS remains installed and operative as part of the aircraft's minimum equipment list. Understanding these requirements helps prevent fuel tank explosions and enhances overall flight safety.

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