Is Airbus planning to modify the A321XLR’s belly fuel storage?

The Airbus A321XLR is one of the most long-range commercial aircraft in the narrow-body class, having recently demonstrated a nonstop 13-hour flight. The Authority, on the other hand, is unsatisfied with certain elements of the aircraft, which are likely to make the aircraft unsafe for some reason.

The first 13-hour test flight of the A321XLR was successfully accomplished.

The FAA previously suggested that essential adjustments be made to the aircraft’s over-the-rear fuel storage during any crash landing since this might result in the risk of catching fire and unsafe over-crash landing.

EASA has now expressed its support for the FAA regulation and requested the required changes for flight safety.

According to the EASA document, which was released on D, “EASA identified the need to prescribe special detailed technical specifications (dubbed Special Conditions) to ensure adequate occupant protection against the risks of external fire and burn-through, fuel vapor ignition, and fuel tank explosion, as well as to ensure crashworthiness of this fuel tank so that no fuel is released in sufficient quantities to start a serious fire in an otherwise survivable crash event.”

Since Boeing expressed concerns to regulators, the design of the integrated tank with a capacity of 19.200 litres has been the focus of attention. If the tank was penetrated by some portion, the close closeness to the landing gear could constitute a hazard during a hard landing. Furthermore, with passengers seated directly on top of the tank, cold fuel could have an impact on cabin comfort. Because the fuel tank and passenger seats are in the same location, there is less time for evacuation during the crash.

American airlines Insight view of A321XLR

The gasoline tank should be located in a specific aircraft fuselage location “that is not likely to collapse or rupture in a survivable crash event beyond the appropriate existing emergency landing conditions,” according to the agency.

The European authorities also advised that Airbus consider adding some extra fuselage design features, such as a bladder and crushable structure, which would “mitigate the effects of impact and scraping on the ground, including contact with obstructions”.

Top 5 selling Narrow Body aircraft(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to EASA, installing compatible materials in this place would jeopardize the ventilation surrounding the fuel tank. It further stated that the tank could be vulnerable to external fire and that without adequate protection, people may not have enough time to flee.