Tapper's dad,
Your evidence of leaks found on aircraft operating in the gulf is testament to the fact that they were investigated and where possible, rectified. Not leaking and being allowed to go flying again! It happens every day and has done for years. We find leaks and we fix them or deal with it accordingly.
Unfortunately, AAR refuelling is just that. Carried out in flight. How can the pipes be checked post AAR?
Nigegilb,
There is no flaw in my logic. I am not advocating that flight with a fuel leak is safe. Aircraft go flying with known leaks, assessed and accepted as such. Anything which occurs during flight (AAR) uses refuel gallery pipework that is otherwise redundant. How do you expect anyone to find a fuel leak in a pipe, on the ground, that contains no fuel? That defies logic.
All leaks found on the ground will be dealt with. I don't believe that anyone would say otherwise.
I agree that the most likely cause of the demise of XV230 was almost certainly due to a fuel fire but who's to say it was started from an initial fuel leak. SCP ducting passes very close to the area where the flames were sighted coming from the aircraft. What if 230 degree C air was to be blasted from a broken duct against a fuel pipe/tank? Sound familiar?
I just hope we get to the root of the problem and resolve it for everyone's sake.