How To Keep Fuel Flowing

Aerospace Services International, Inc

Navy Flying Club Managers Workshop 1999

Agenda

• Introduction

• Examples

• Stupid “Human Factor”

• Suggestions

• Conclusion

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

Cessna Skylane Examples

• Excerpts from accident and SDR’s

• Engine quit on descent– Landed off airport

• Ran out of fuel on approach to airport.– Landed in rough terrain

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

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

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…...

Suggestions to Keep the Fuel Flowing

• Be suspicious– color

– smell

– fuel truck

• Do it yourself• Cap and seal look OK

• How’s your bladder?• Sample that fuel• Use your watch• Don’t change tanks

Conclusion

• If the fuel isn’t flowing, the aircraft isn’t 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 you’re on fire”.