Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Thu, 08 May 2003 20:06:08 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-2341140@logan.com>
From: "Ted Stanley" <ted@vineyard.net>
Subject: Fuel Starvation
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Thought I'd pass this along. It's from an FAA publication called ALERTS
which once upon a time went out to all IA holders and 135 operators. FAA
funding was cut back and now it's only available on the internet.

http://afs600.faa.gov/srchFolder.asp?Category=alerts

Sometimes it's the smallest things can ruin your day. Good thing we don't
use too many rivets building our Lancairs, but don't let that leave you
thinking something like this one can't bite you some other way.

Fly Safe,
Ted Stanley

FAA AC 43-16A May 2003
AMATEUR, EXPERIMENTAL, AND SPORT AIRCRAFT

FUEL TANKS

The Delegation and Airworthiness Programs Branch (AIR-140) recommended this
article.

The pilot of a single-engine experimental amateur-built aircraft was at 2400
feet MSL when he experienced a partial engine failure. Shortly thereafter,
the engine became erratic, and then failed completely. The pilot landed in a
soybean field.

Investigation disclosed two drilled out rivet heads lodged in the fuel line
that had apparently caused fuel starvation and engine stoppage. The aircraft
had been in service for approximately three years.

Although the source of the rivet heads is unknown, they may have
inadvertently fallen into the open fuel tank filler during construction or
maintenance activity. The investigator recommends that experimental aircraft
builders consider installing a finger screen at the outlet of the fuel tank.
The screen would catch and retain debris before it entered the fuel line.
Periodic inspection and cleaning of the finger screen may eliminate debris
from the tank preventing it from clogging the fuel line.