Service difficulty report · Fuel Control · Piper PA18

Difficulty date
March 15, 2004
Submitted
March 16, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA18
Engine
Lyc O320*
Part
Fuel Control
Condition
Mismarked
Location
Engine
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

AS MANUFACTURED, THE FUEL VALVE SELECTOR HANDLE CONSISTS OF A SMALL POINTER AND A SILVER HANDLE OPPOSITE OF EACH OTHER ON THE LT INTERIOR WALL BY THE FRONT SEAT. OPPOSITE BOTH FUEL VALVE SELECTIONS OF (LT) AND (RT) IS AN (OFF) POSITION. THE POINTER IS OFTEN PAINTED THE SAME COLOR AS THE BACKGROUND COLOR OF THE INTERIOR, USUALLY DARK RED. THIS LEADS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE INADVERTENTLY USING THE SILVER HANDLE TO MAKE THE VALVE SELECTION INSTEAD OF THE POINTER, PERHAPS TURNING THE VALVE (OFF) INSTEAD OF SELECTING A FUEL TANK. THE POINTER SHOULD BE PAINTED A DISTINCTIVE COLOR AND PERHAPS THE VALVE SELECTOR SHOULD BE PLACARDED: (USE POINTER NOT SILVER HANDLE TO MAKE VALVE SELECTION).

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