` ` The current approach is not safe enough , '' the head of the agency says . In ' ' , FAA deemed fire - safety upgrades too expensive based on cost / benefit analysis . Federal regulations require cargo airline fire detection systems to alert pilots within one minute of a fire starting , but the NTSB 's investigation found current systems detected fire and smoke anywhere from two and half minutes to more than 18 minutes after the fire started . NTSB : FAA has focused little on developing fire - resistant containers . Three major container disaster studies yielded recommendations .
` ` The current approach is not safe enough , '' the head of the agency says . In ' ' , FAA deemed fire - safety upgrades too expensive based on cost / benefit analysis . NTSB : FAA has focused little on developing fire - resistant containers . Three major container disaster studies yielded recommendations .