DOT said that, within two years, all new aircraft must include technology designed to reduce the risk of center fuel tank fires. In addition, passenger aircraft built after 1991 must be retrofitted with technology designed to keep center fuel tanks from catching fire. DOT Secretary Mary Peters made the announcement July 16, the day before the anniversary of the July 17, 1996, crash of TWA Flight 800. She stated that the new rule is needed to help avoid a similar incident. Peters said the rule requires aircraft to have technology to neutralize or eliminate flammable gasses from fuel tanks under the center wing of commercial passenger planes.
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