The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN
Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
SW-05-44 March 24, 2005 http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/ This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, owners, operators, pilots, and mechanics of all US-Registered Rotorcraft, to adhere to the aircraft manufacturer operation and maintenance procedures to prevent fuel contamination. We are issuing this SAIB as a reminder due to a recent review of accidents caused by contaminated fuel.
Reference
Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC) Recommended Practice (RP) #2004- 02, Jet Fuel Quality Control Procedures, dated 2/16/04 (Go to www.hsac.org and click on “Recommended Procedures”).
Background
Water, dirt, biological, or other contaminants in fuel systems are dangerous. You should prevent any contamination of the fuel system.
A recent review of rotorcraft accident data from 1998 through 2004 showed that there have been at least 21 rotorcraft accidents due to fuel contamination. This represents 18% of all engine related accidents. Of the rotorcraft accidents attributed to powerplant failure from fuel contamination, most have been traced to the following:
• Poor fuel system quality control – fuel storage equipment and aircraft systems
• Inadequate preflight inspections
• Servicing the aircraft from improperly filtered/maintained fuel tanks or drains
• Lack of proper maintenance– fuel storage equipment and aircraft systems
• Storing aircraft with partially fueled tanks
Recommendation
As a precautionary measure, we are providing guidelines to emphasize the proper operation and maintenance of rotorcraft fuel systems and fuel handling /storage facilities. We recommend that you:
• Verify before fuel is stored and delivered to an aircraft that quality control checks have been successfully completed.
• Notify fuel suppliers of any potential fuel system supply contamination, as they may be able to provide assistance and recommended guidance.
• Follow the manufacturers guidelines for proper fuel system preflight checks/inspections of the aircraft fuel system in the rotorcraft flight manual.
• Verify the adequacy of your organizations aircraft and fuel supply quality control system.
• Verify adherence to the aircraft and engine manufacturer’s recommendations for fuel system maintenance, including inspections of filters and screens.
• If you find contamination in the aircraft fuel system, DO NOT operate your aircraft until the contamination has been eliminated.
• Inspect and thoroughly clean any fuel system that may have been exposed to contamination.
We also highly recommend that you review the referenced RP #2004-02 for more detailed guidelines.
For Further Information, Contact
Mr. Eric Haight, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Rotorcraft Directorate, ASW-111 Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0110;
phone: (817) 222-5204; fax: (817) 222-5961;
email: eric.haight@faa.gov.