Having experience two incidents involving aircraft and fire,
I can say from some experience – be careful out there guys.
Don’t let a few minutes of extra effort deter you from
following good safety procedures – it simply is not worth it.
My experiences involved two flammable liquids – one automobile
gasoline and one brake fluid. Since the topic is transporting fuel, I limit my
comments to that subject. Some of you have hear this tale – so skip
on to the next e mail of interest.
1st. If you are going to transfer
fuel via the plastic “Approved” containers be very careful –
they are NOT static electricity proof – unless they are metal. A
large metal container with a self-contained pump with either a static resistant
hose - some have a metal web either woven into the house or on the
outside. Then ensure your fuel container and aircraft are grounded to
each other and a good earth ground.
Proper grounding is essential – just the movement from
of fuel from you vehicle to the aircraft is sufficient to build up static
charge either in a container being carried or from fluid flowing in a hose.
Highly recommend a LARGE extinguisher (the kind you see on wheels) be available
and near by – ensure you know how to operate it.
In my case, I was pouring from an “approved”
plastic container into a racing funnel with a paper filter cartridge in the middle,
with the other end of it in my fuel tank. It was a bright sunshine 60F
day when I apparently momentarily broke contact between all the components of
the “refueling system” as I attempted to lift the container a bit
higher to get more flow. One moment all was serene – then there was a
soft “woomph” and - within an instant - I found myself with flaming
containers in both hands and a potential flaming (pun intended) disaster staring
me in the face.
Startled I backed away from the aircraft and naturally the
fuel in the funnel proceeded to run out and over the wing and onto the tarmac –
need I say it was all ON FIRE!!!!. Vowing not to PANIC!, I quickly walked
about 12-15 ft away and put down the funnel and container - both still
burning furiously. I ran to my van and reached under the driver’s
seat for the fire extinguisher I always kept there – it wasn’t
there (Naturally, I had at some point earlier moved it over under the
passengers seat where it had slid back out of sight and out of mind)
I ran back to the aircraft, swiped the flaming fuel
off the wing and picked up the fuel cap lying on the wing. Looking at the
flames coming out of the fuel tank opening and thinking to myself “..this
always worked in science lab…” I slammed the fuel cap into
the opening – and held my breath. I had a mental picture of this
entire thing exploding into a fire ball. Interestingly enough I was more
concerned about my new completed aircraft than about possible danger to life
and limb – not a good mental state for continued health.
Fortunately, I did not even get a hair singed on my arm and no damage to the
aircraft.
That was the time I made the decision to always use as
refueling truck or station that had proper grounding equipment whenever
possible. I know - I also used plastic containers to refuel various
engines for over 4 decades and never had an incident. But, one is all it
takes.
So again, do it smartly not quickly – no finger being
pointed at any one – just admonishment that just because it has not
happened to you – does not mean it can’t or won’t.
Best Regards
Ed.
Ed Anderson
Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson@carolina.rr.com
http://www.andersonee.com
http://www.dmack.net/mazda/index.html
http://www.flyrotary.com/
http://members.cox.net/rogersda/rotary/configs.htm#N494BW