Service difficulty report · Check Valve · Beech A100

Difficulty date
September 7, 2012
Submitted
September 14, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Beech A100
Engine
Pwa PT6A28
Propeller
Hartzl HCD4N3C
Part
Check Valve
Part number
5038017011
Condition
Sticking
Location
Fuel System
Part time
13,885 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

(CAN) ON A ROUTINE FLIGHT, THE CREW EXITED THE ACFT AND ON POST FLIGHT WALK AROUND AND DISCOVERED FUEL POURING FROM THE LT AUXILIARY TANK VENT. THE FBO CONTACTED EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE PILOTS CONTACTED COMPANY MAINTENANCE. MAINTENANCE WENT INSIDE THE GEAR WELL AND TAPPED THE 4 CHECK VALVES WITH A WRENCH, KINETICALLY ADJUSTED AND THE FUEL STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THE ACFT WAS TRANSFERRED TO A HANGAR WHERE IT WAS DEFUELED AND ALL CHECK VALVES WHERE CLEANED, INSPECTED AND RE INSTALLED SERVICEABLE. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND A DESIGN FLAW WITH BE-10 ACFT WHEN FUEL TRANSFER TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE AUXILIARY TANK AND MAIN TANKS, ON OCCASION ONE OR MORE OF THE CHECK VALVE WILL STICK CAUSING A "FUEL SIPHON", WHEN THE AUXILIARY TANK FILLS UP THE FUEL SIMPLY EXITS THROUGH THE VENT. DECIDED TO INCLUDE A SDR ONLY FOR INFORMATION ONLY SINCE AIRPORT EMERGENCY SERVICES WHERE CONTACTED TO AID IN THE FUEL SPILL.

More about the Beech A100