Airbus says all non-metallic materials used in the aircraft cabin - including any composites - meet or exceed fire safety rules which govern flammability and smoke emissions. All materials that are part of, or close to, the air-conditioning system also have to meet these rules, says the manufacturer, pointing out that the main use of composites is in the fin and tailplane, which are well away from the passenger cabin.
Airbus adds: "To the best of our knowledge, composites have not been the cause of harm to either passengers or rescue workers in any Airbus accidents to date, including aircraft with composite tails."
Boeing says concerns over the safety of composite materials following a crash "are really exaggerated - we have no data which supports that". It says that, although further studies into the effects of catastrophic stress on composite components are still under way, the evidence to date suggests "there is no significant difference between aluminium and composite structures".
Source: Flight International
