I've many years on the SA227 AC/DC and limited time on the 226. However the crossflow system is by and large a different beast in each individual build ie, if you've flown one metro......you've flown one metro.
I only recall one aircraft in which the crossflow was predictable. In level balanced flight the fuel would balance. Creating a slip would expedite the process. Yet on another much newer model with the crossflow opened in level unaccelerated flight the fuel would flow from the low tank to the high to the point where if left unchecked I would expect that it would have vented overboard. Opening the C/F whilst refueling was a pointless exercise as the rate of flow from one wing to the other was much slower than the fuel being introduced over the wing. The crossflow line linked the forward collector tanks and was rather limiting in flow.
The dangers of this system have been tragically highlighted by this accident. If nothing else I hope it brings some recommendations for the use of this system WRT balancing fuel between tanks. Exercise care and never, ever, allow the process to go unchecked for more than a couple of minutes.
D
