Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #47195
From: Dan Schaefer <dfs155@roadrunner.com>
Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Fueling errors, was IVP down in Mesa, AZ, 3 souls lost
Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 08:42:42 -0400
To: <lml@lancaironline.net>
Regarding testing for jet fuel in your avgas, I read many years ago that dribbling some fuel from your tank on a sheet of white paper will reveal the jet fuel by leaving a slightly oily residue when the avgas evaporates. As I understand it, holding the paper up to the light will make the oily residue quite evident. Pure avgas will leave no trace after evaporation (other than a slight hint of blue from the dye). I have no idea what the percentage of jet fuel must be for this to work. I did test it (sorta) by trying pure Jet-A and pure avgas and it worked as related.

Of course, the only two times I got Jet-A contaminated avgas, I hadn't done the test (having knowlege doesn't mean you're smart). The first, in a Piper Dakota, was caused by a fuel delivery truck operator pumping the jet fuel into the avgas underground tanks where I had the bad luck to refuel on a trip. It left the airplane grounded and stranded in West Yellowstone, WY and a less than happy FBO owner. The second time was in my LNC2 (O-235) when I got caught up in the Chevron fuel contamination debacle in California, some years ago. That one resulted in a complete factory re-man as the engine (among many) was declared un-airworthy by the Feds.

I no longer allow any line personnel to fuel my Lancair unless I'm supervising, or I do it myself by using the self-serve pump. Besides making sure I'm getting the right fuel (or at least being delivered from the 100LL pump), I also watch to be sure the fuel nozzle isn't stuck so far into the tank that it rests on the bottom of the tank - which I am sure would eventually breach the integrity of the tank sealant down there and cause a leak.

Dan Schaefer
LNC2  N235SP --
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
It has removed 174 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len


Subscribe (FEED) Subscribe (DIGEST) Subscribe (INDEX) Unsubscribe Mail to Listmaster