How To Keep Fuel Flowing

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How To Keep Fuel Flowing

• Aerospace Services International, Inc
• Navy Flying Club Managers Workshop 1999

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Agenda

• Introduction
• Examples
• Stupid Human Factor
• Suggestions
• Conclusion

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Introduction

• It takes more than a credit card.
• Stupidity and Ignorance are partners in death

• 110 fuel exhaustion accidents in 1997
• 5 fatal
• 59 fuel starvation accidents in 1997
• 6 fatal

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Cessna Skylane Examples

• Excerpts from accident and SDRs
• Engine quit on descent
• Landed off airport
• Ran out of fuel on approach to airport.
• Landed in rough terrain

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More Examples

• Lost power en route
• Struck trees and wires landing on road
• Ran out of fuel
• Made emergency landing in a field, came to rest
  inverted
• Engine lost power
• Landed on access road, wing hit a pole, aircraft
  pivoted into a ditch

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And More Examples

• Fuel siphoning in flight
• Visual streaking on top of wings behind caps
• Fuel caps began leaking
• Caused loss of fuel during flight
• Rainwater leaked through fuel cap which has a
  built-in water trap
• Recommends change in design

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Stupid Human Factor

• A funny thing happened on the way to..
• Your not going to believe this.
• Sad but true
• Once upon a time, in a land far, far, away...

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Suggestions to Keep the Fuel Flowing

• Be suspicious
• color
• smell
• fuel truck
• Do it yourself
• Cap and seal look OK

• Hows your bladder?
• Sample that fuel
• Use your watch
• Dont change tanks

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Conclusion

• If the fuel isnt flowing, the aircraft isnt
  flying. A little Common Sense coupled with
  some Preventive Maintenance could very well
  save your life.
• There is a very old saying about fuel that has
  been tossed about for years The only time you
  can have too much fuel is when youre on fire.