Evening star., 1935-12-08
By James Nevin Miller.

BY James NeUin MtILer.
V YANKEE science is taking the
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II occur in the United States
like that which befell the. Maxim
Gorky, largest passenger plane in the
world, which recently crashed over
Moscow in flames after small auxtl-
iary plane escorting it made a false
maneuver and zoomed into one giant
wing, blasting it apart, hurtling the
mother plane to earth and killing 48
persons.
Experiments just concluded, running
over a period of five years and con-
Quoted by Federal scientists, have re-
suited in the perfection of a fire
proofing method for canvas. used in
the fabrication of airplane wings.
Previous to this revolutionary devel-
opment science had been working
along other linse to reduce the hazard
on the ground.
Outstanding among these newly
perfected achievements is the all
steel plane, which gives a blaze 10
chance really to take hold of its
structure should such mishap as a
broken fuel line occur.
The fire hazard also has been re-
duced in the modern American plane
by locating the engines out on the
wings. In this position, should any
thing go wrong with them, danger to
the cabin portion of the plane is elm
mated. In the case of single-motored
planes, where the power plant is out
in front of the cockpit, the fire hazard
is controlled by f1re-wall which
separates the engine from the rest
of the structure.
Another important safety construc-
ton feature is the widespread use
of metal in the interior of planes,
This virtually removes the fire dan
ger from pilots and passengers.
Newest plane regulations of the
Department of Commerce require
something like eight precautions
against fire in the sky. These cover
the power plant, the fuel system and
the electrical equipment of planes
department requires that all gasoline
tanks shall be placed no closer to the
engine than the remote side Of the
fire wall and that at least a one
half inch space shall be allowed
between the tank and firewall.
In addition to this precautionary
placement of the fuel tank. require
ments are also had that the tanks
be so ventilated that, in case of leak
age, fumes cannot accumulate. 1t is
further required that one or more
positive or quick-acting valves that
will shut off all fuel supply to the
engine shall be located within easy
reach of the pilot or flight mechanic
IN THE case of the power plant, all
tanks, connections and pipings are
required to be made of materials
which will not react to any fuels, oils
or other liquids likely to be placed
in them in the operation of the
plane.
The fire wall, which separates the
engine from the pilot side of the
plane, is required to be made Of
ferrous metal of suitable thickness
Aluminium is permitted as the out
side of an asbestos Sandwich" This
fire wall is required to completely
isolate the engine compartment from
the rest of the plane and all openings
through it are required to be closed
around the pipes and wires by close
fitting bushings. Structural portions
of the plane adjacent to the engine
and of an inf1ammable or heat-con-
ducting type are required to be pro-
tected by asbestos covering or some
equivalent insulating material. They
penetratiOn.