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To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 08:42:42 -0400
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From: "Dan Schaefer" <dfs155@roadrunner.com>
Subject: Fueling errors, was IVP down in Mesa, AZ, 3 souls lost
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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 


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