US orders changes to Boeing 747s after TWA crash

The American Federal Aviation Authority has ordered new measures to protect the central fuel tanks on Boeing-747 aircraft, following investigations into the crash of a TWA flight off New York last year.

The airliner was destroyed by an explosion in its central fuel tank.

Investigators ruled out a bomb or missile attack.

Now airlines have been told to improve within one year the shielding of electrical wiring in the monitoring system of the fuel tanks, and also to check the wiring of fuel pumps in older 747s.

The authority said there was no firm evidence linking the TWA crash to these factors, but every practical step must be taken to ensure the continued safety of the aircraft.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service