NTSB says heater problem on airliners should be fixed immediately Associated Press Friday, February 9, 2001

WASHINGTON -- Government inspectors say the nation's airlines are getting too much time to fix a heater problem on some of their jets.

Last spring, the Federal Aviation Administration gave airlines five years to inspect and correct insulation problems on more than 600 MD-80, MD-90 and DC9 series jetliners. But the National Transportation Safety Board, citing a potential for aircraft fires, wants the insulation to be replaced as soon as possible.

The fire problem has played a role in two recent incidents. In September, fire broke out in the cargo compartment of a Delta MD-88, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in Kentucky. In January, a heater on another Delta plane malfunctioned after takeoff from South Carolina.

http://www.startribune.com/viewers/qview/cgi/qview.cgi?story=83528662&template=business_a_cache

-- Doris (nocents@bellsouth.net), February 10, 2001