Framer writes:
Can fuel pump switching be ruled out due to;
a) nitrogen inerting (not sure if it had it)
b) fuel load being such that it wouldn't have been required at that stage of flight.
c) Aircraft was too new to have the faulty wiring/pump or whatever it was that caused centre tank explosions in the past.
I've looked around a lot, and I'm not sure!
But
www.b737.org.uk has a page on B737 center tank explosions.
More info on their
fuel inerting page.
Here is the FAA page on
SFAR88 (dealing with fuel tank ignition sources).
Just guessing, I'd say the -800 series had wiring, pump and duty cycle improvements but I doubt they had inerting.
JetPhotos.Net has
this page on the frame's history.
Anyone else got firm info on this?
RR