The point is and this will be of some comfort, the groundcrew are doing everything they can to test out this equipment. This is supposition but it does explain a few points. And we are not talking about a straight fuel leak here, but atomised fuel. (The other theory is hot air). But I agree, how is the BoI supposed to figure it out? Just get some bomb bay fire protection sorted, quick. And fit fuel tank protection for good measure.
"However, we had heard that the fire was at the starboard wing root area of the ac.
Now, there is a fuel pipe in that area which is used in AAR to refuel one of the internal fuselage tanks. Further, on inspection of another ac in theatre a small hole was found in the pipe. The pipe is welded to several brackets which are themselves attached to the supporting rib wall and the hole was close to one of the welds.
It is not uncommon for there to be pressure spikes during the refuelling process as refuel valves are closed elsewhere during the process. It is possible that repeated pressure spikes or repeated applications of normal pressure during either ground refuelling or AAR might have lead to the weakening of the weld and the subsequent hole. Atomised fuel could then escape into the space. What is missing, however, is an ignition source and that is a bit of a stumper.
If we assume that somehow ignition took place it is conceivable that the fire could then heat a fuel tank that is positioned in the wing root area, and this may have led to the explosion.
What is interesting to ponder is that the same airframes are generally being used for the Gulf theatre due to their fit. These few frames would be used in AAR more frequently than the other ac in the fleet. This argument might also be backed up by the fact that the fuel pipe hole was found in another Gulf ac in theatre."
I would just like to add that a whole year has gone by since I was given the above information. A whole year when crews have experienced huge fuel migrations, without any bomb bay fire or fuel tank protection. Absolutely no requests are in the system for the MR2 or MRA4.
"How can this possibly be called good risk management."
Edited for reasons that will become apparent.
Last edited by nigegilb; 7th November 2007 at 10:49.